A prospective study of selenium status and breast cancer risk

Article Abstract:

It has been claimed that low levels of selenium in the diet are associated with an increased risk of cancer, and many women take supplementary selenium in the hopes of reducing their chances of developing breast cancer. However, research reports vary in the strength of association found between selenium and cancer, and one problem in evaluating patients' levels of the element is the fact that blood concentrations vary on a short-term basis, not necessarily reflecting the person's usual selenium exposure. To learn more about this, participants (female registered nurses) in a long-term study of cancer and coronary heart disease were asked to submit a set of toenail clippings for selenium analysis in 1982. Selenium concentrations in toenails are indicative of the dietary intake of selenium. More than 62,000 women submitted toenail sets; of these, 434 developed breast cancer and met the criteria for further inclusion in the study (the 'cases'). Each woman diagnosed with breast cancer was matched for age with a cancer-free woman from the group that had contributed a toenail set. When cases and controls were compared few associations between selenium levels and cancer risk factors were found. In addition, the average levels of selenium were similar in cases and controls, as was the distribution of selenium levels. Finally, no correlations were found for prognostic factors and selenium levels. Thus, the results do not support a relationship between low selenium levels in the diets of adult women and breast cancer. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Breast cancer, Dietary supplements

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Selenium and cancer prevention: promising results indicate further trials required

Article Abstract:

It is probably premature to recommend selenium supplements to reduce the risk of cancer. A 1996 study found that 200 micrograms of selenium daily reduced the overall incidence of cancer by 39% and mortality by 48%. However, most of the reduction in risk was in cancers of the lung, prostate, colon and rectum. There was no reduction in the incidence of breast cancer, bladder cancer and basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer. Other clinical trials have not confirmed these results. Possible adverse effects of long-term selenium use are also not known.

Editorial

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Effects of Selenium Supplementation for Cancer Prevention in Patients With Carcinoma of the Skin: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Article Abstract:

Selenium supplements may reduce the risk of many types of cancers. Researchers randomly assigned 1,312 people to take a daily selenium supplement or a placebo, or inactive substance, for an average of 4.5 years. Over an average follow-up of 6 years, those who took selenium had lower death rates from cancer and lower incidences of lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers. Selenium supplements did not lower the incidence of basal and squamous cell skin cancers.

Selenium, Selenium (Chemical element)

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