Serum selenium and the risk of prostate cancer

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of serum selenium levels and the risk of developing prostate cancer. It has been documented that antioxidants reduce the incidence of cancer by eradicating free radicals that damage DNA, thus increasing the risk of cancer. Selenium is a component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, whose role in cancer prevention has been controversial in the last 40 years.

Methodology: A systematic review of evidence-based literature was performed utilizing the following search engines: MEDLINE FirstSearch, ArticleFirst, dissertations, and Paper’s First and a bibliographic search of selected articles. MeSH ( medical subject heading terms) and text words utilized in this study include: serum, selenium, prostate, neoplasia, risk, nutrition, adenocarcinoma, male, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm, and prostatic neoplasia.

Results: The results of the evidence-based literature results are consistent with the epidemiologic studies available at this time. The best quality evidence suggests that higher selenium levels decrease a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer. However, because of unaccounted for confounders including family history of prostate cancer and educational level, it is not recommended that providers prescribe selenium as preventive medicine combating prostate cancer. Nevertheless, individuals who have a higher intake of selenium may benefit from its protective effects.