Positive Health Online

Abstract

PETERS and colleagues, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland, USA, have measured the connection between selenium and the risk of colon cancer.

Background

Studies suggest that selenium may reduce risk of colorectal cancer. Although substantial evidence suggests that smoking is a strong effect modifier for other antioxidative nutrients, little is known about smoking-selenium interactions in colorectal tumours. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of serum selenium and colorectal cancer.

Methodology

758 cases of advanced colorectal adenoma, a cancer precursor, and 767 sex- and race-matched controls were randomly selected from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.

Results

The multivariable odds ratio comparing participants in the highest quintile of serum selenium with those in the lowest quintile was 0.76 [p for trend = 0.01]. The inverse association between serum selenium and advanced colorectal adenoma was significant among recent smokers (odds ratio 0.53 for highest versus lowest tertile; p for trend = 0.008). Serum selenium was unrelated to adenoma risk in nonsmokers and former smokers who quit smoking at least 10 years ago.

Conclusion

Selenium may reduce the risk of developing advanced colorectal adenoma, particularly among the high-risk group of current and recent smokers.

References

Peters U, Chatterjee N, Church TR, Mayo C, Sturup S, Foster CB, Schatzkin A, Hayes RB.  High serum selenium and reduced risk of advanced colorectal adenoma in a colorectal cancer early detection program. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 15 (2): 315-320, Feb 2006.