You may have heard the news that eating catfish can cause cancer. For those of you who like to eat catfish, news like this can certainly make you confused. Actually this issue is just a myth or fact, right? Let's first check the truth of the issue of catfish that causes cancer below. Not all catfish cause cancer. Catfish are freshwater fish that contain a variety of important nutrients for the body, including protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins. So, catfish itself actually does not contain toxins or harmful substances that are cancer-causing (carcinogenic) in the human body. However, a number of studies reveal that certain catfish can indeed increase your risk of developing cancer. This is because the catfish has been contaminated with carcinogenic substances, not because of the natural content in the catfish itself. So, not all types of catfish cause cancer. Catfish from polluted waters can trigger the growth of cancer cells. Catfish can be contaminated with carcinogenic substances because they are cultivated in waters that have been contaminated with various types of pollutants (pollution-causing substances). A team of experts from the University of Pittsburgh School of the Health Sciences in the United States proved this in their research. Experts took extracts of catfish that grow in highly polluted waters. This extract is injected into breast cancer cells in the laboratory. The result, after being injected with contaminated catfish extract, it turns out that the cancer cells grow to multiply. After further investigation, it turns out that the catfish contains chemicals that are like the hormone estrogen in the human body. Estrogen levels that are too high in the body are known to increase the risk of breast cancer. The catfish tested by a team of experts was taken from waters that have been mixed with factory waste and human waste. So, this case is very similar to the case of mercury poisoning due to seafood consumption. The fish themselves are harmless. However, because water pollution has become so serious, the fish that live in these waters can also be polluted and eventually consumed by humans. So, can we still eat catfish? Don't be afraid, only catfish from polluted waters can increase the risk of cancer. While catfish obtained from catfish farms are safe for consumption by you and your family. Currently, catfish farming in Indonesia is regulated and supervised by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The government itself already has special requirements for catfish cultivation, for example water sources, cleanliness of facilities, use of chemicals, catfish feed, and others. This requirement is regulated in CBIB (Good Fish Cultivation Method). So as long as the fish you choose comes from a farm that has a CBIB certificate, you don't have to worry about rumors from neighbors that catfish causes cancer Tips for safe eating catfish Even though catfish is considered safe for your health, sometimes it's difficult to determine which waters your catfish comes from. buy. Therefore, it never hurts to reduce the risk by limiting how often you eat catfish. In general, catfish is safe to consume two to three times a week. In addition, you can also remove the skin of the catfish before it is processed into food. The problem is, fish skin is usually the most easily polluted by pollutant substances in dirty waters. You should also vary your choice of side dishes each day. The more varied, the richer and more balanced the nutritional intake for your family's body.