Study: Selenium May Protect Against Prostate Cancer

WASHINGTONResearch presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2013 suggested high selenium levels may protect against advanced prostate cancer. Scientists from Maastricht University, the Netherlands, used the Netherlands Cohort Study to analyze data from nearly 90 men diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.

This could mean, based on our data and based on data from other studies, that selenium is a modifiable risk factor of advanced, clinically relevant prostate cancer," said Milan S. Geybels, M.Sc., a doctoral candidate in cancer epidemiology at Maastricht University, in a released statement.

The study showed men with the highest selenium levels experienced more than 60 percent lower risk for advanced prostate cancer. Geybels said prior clinical trials have shown varied results regarding selenium and prostate cancer, but noted this one studied men with a wide range of selenium levels, not just mid-to-high levels. However, one 2011 trial explained the importance of proper selenium intake, finding a deficiency can contribute to long-term health issues such as cancer and heart disease.