Based on NIH | Does eating fish increase the risk of gallbladder cancer?

Eating fish does not appear to increase the risk of gallbladder cancer, and may even be linked with a small reduction in overall gastrointestinal cancer risk when part of a balanced diet. Major clinical resources list gallstones, age, sex (female), certain infections, chronic inflammation, obesity, and specific gallbladder conditions as key risk factors not fish consumption. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

What we know about gallbladder cancer risk

• Established risk factors: Older age, female sex, gallstones, chronic gallbladder or bile‑duct inflammation, certain infections (such as typhoid), and obesity are consistently associated with higher gallbladder cancer risk. ^{[1] [2] [3]}
• Diet patterns: While no single diet causes gallbladder cancer, excess body weight and diets high in refined carbohydrates and low in fiber are often observed among people who develop this cancer. ^[3]
• Prevention focus: There is no proven way to prevent gallbladder cancer, so experts emphasize reducing known risks maintaining a healthy weight, managing gallstones with medical guidance, and addressing chronic biliary inflammation or infections when present. ^{[1] [3]}

Fish intake and cancer: what the evidence suggests

• Cohort evidence on fish and GI cancers: Large prospective studies pooled in a meta‑analysis found that people who regularly eat fish have a slightly lower risk of total gastrointestinal cancers compared with those who rarely eat fish, with signal reductions for colorectal, esophageal, and hepatocellular (liver) cancers. This analysis did not show an increased risk from fish intake. ^[5]
• Gallbladder‑specific data: Authoritative clinical summaries of gallbladder cancer causes and risk factors do not list fish consumption as a risk factor. Current risk lists center on gallstones, inflammation, infections, and obesity not fish. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Practical takeaways for your diet

• Fish can fit into a cancer‑smart diet. Many general cancer‑prevention dietary recommendations support including sources of omega‑3 fats such as fatty fish within a balanced eating pattern that also emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy weight management. ^[6]
• Mind the preparation and source: In regions where raw freshwater fish can carry liver flukes (parasites linked to biliary tract cancers), public health guidance advises cooking freshwater fish thoroughly and using safe food‑handling practices. This is about infection risk from undercooked freshwater fish, not about fish itself increasing gallbladder cancer risk. ^[4]

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At‑a‑glance summary

Question	What the best available sources say	What it means for you
Does eating fish increase gallbladder cancer risk?	Fish intake is not listed as a risk factor by major clinical resources on gallbladder cancer. [1] [2] [3]	No clear evidence links fish eating to higher gallbladder cancer risk.
What does research show about fish and GI cancers overall?	Cohort meta‑analysis suggests fish consumption is associated with a slight reduction in overall GI cancer incidence, with benefits seen for colorectal, esophageal, and liver cancers. [5]	Eating fish as part of a balanced diet may be modestly protective for some GI cancers.
What are the main gallbladder cancer risks?	Gallstones, age, female sex, chronic inflammation, certain infections (e.g., typhoid), and obesity. [1] [2] [3]	Focus on managing these factors with your clinician.
Any special precautions with fish?	Avoid undercooked freshwater fish in areas where parasites (liver flukes) are a concern; cook thoroughly and use safe food handling. [4]	Cook freshwater fish well to prevent infections that can affect bile ducts.

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Bottom line

Based on current medical summaries and large cohort data, eating fish is not associated with an increased risk of gallbladder cancer and may be part of a healthy dietary pattern that supports lower risk of certain gastrointestinal cancers. Prioritizing known modifiable risks such as maintaining a healthy weight, addressing gallstones and chronic biliary inflammation, and preventing/treating relevant infections remains the most practical strategy for lowering gallbladder cancer risk. ^{[1] [2] [3] [5] [4]}