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Research: REID and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 141
Abstract
REID and co-workers, Department of Epidemiology, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA, mary.reid@roswellpark.org, have analyzed the protective influence of selenium on colorectal cancer.
Background
Selenium status has been inversely associated with colorectal cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between selenium supplementation and prevalent and incident 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 matching placebo, 598 participants underwent endoscopic screening (flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) for colorectal cancer sometime during the follow-up period 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. 99 prevalent and 61 incident cancers were ascertained. Logistic regression odds ratios were calculated, adjusting for age, gender and smoking status.
Results
For prevalent cancers, 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 cancers was 0.98. In addition to being associated with a reduced risk of incident colorectal cancer, selenium supplementation was associated with a significantly reduced risk of prevalent cancers, but only among subjects with either a low baseline selenium level or among current smokers.
Conclusion
These results make it look as though selenium may be mildly protective against colorectal cancer.
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): 1777-1781, Apr 1, 2006.
Comment
These very interesting results demonstrate that the greatest risk reduction of colorectal cancer and other prevalent cancers associated with selenium supplementation occurred in those individuals with the lowest selenium levels. This is a powerful argument for screening and supplementing selenium in those deficient in this mineral.
