Selenium Levels Linked to Prostate Cancer

Results of a recent study indicate that higher blood levels of selenium are linked to lower risks of prostate cancer.

Scientists conducting the federally sponsored study, published in the Dec. 1, 2001 issue of the Journal of Urology, reported that men with low blood levels of selenium are four to five times more likely to contract prostate cancer.

The scientists–a combined team from Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University and the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation of the National Institute on Aging–studied 52 prostate cancer patients and 96 subjects without the disease. The men were all part of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, so the researchers had access to the subject's health histories. The researchers determined whether the level of plasma selenium before the men's cancer diagnosis was linked to the risk of later developing prostate cancer. The subjects averaged 69 years of age.

The researchers found that blood selenium levels decreased with age and that older men with higher levels of selenium were at lower risk for prostate cancer. These results held up even after the researchers corrected for body mass index, smoking and history of alcohol use.

'These results support the hypothesis that supplemental selenium may reduce the risk of prostate cancer,' concluded the study authors. 'Because plasma selenium decreases with patient age, supplementation may be particularly beneficial to older men.'

Reference:

Brooks JD, Metter EJ, Chan DW, Sokoll LJ, Landis P, Nelson WG, Muller D, Andres R, Carter HB. Plasma selenium level before diagnosis and the risk of prostate cancer development. J Urol. 2001;166(6):2034-8.