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Research: REID and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 126
Abstract
REID and co-workers, Department of Epidemiology, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA, have studied selenium as a preventive agent of colon cancer.
Background
Selenium status has been inversely associated with colorectal cancers and adenomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between selenium supplementation and colorectal cancers detected during the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer trial follow-up.
Methodology
Of the 1,312 randomized to 200 micrograms of selenized yeast or placebo, 598 participants underwent endoscopic screening for colorectal cancers sometime during the follow-up period, which ended in February 1, 1996. There was no colorectal screening performed at baseline. Of those screened, 77% were male (with a mean age of 62.8 years), 42% were former and 25% were current smokers.
Results
99 prevalent and 61 incident adenomas were ascertained. For prevalent adenomas, there was a suggestive but nonsignificant decrease in risk associated with selenium treatment (Odds Ratio = 0.67). Subjects in the lowest tertile of baseline selenium (Odds Ratio = 0.27) and current smokers (Odds Ratio = 0.27) had significant reductions in risk. The Odds Ratio for incident adenomas was 0.98.
Conclusion
Selenium was associated with a reduced risk of incident colorectal cancers. In addition, selenium supplementation was associated with a significantly reduced risk of prevalent adenomas, but only among subjects who would normally have an increased risk.
References
Reid ME, Duffield-Lillico AJ, Sunga A, Fakih M, Alberts DS, Marshall JR. Selenium supplementation and colorectal adenomas: an analysis of the nutritional prevention of cancer trial. International Journal of Cancer 118 (7): 1777-2781, Apr 1, 2006.
