THE SELENIUM AND VITAMIN E CANCER PREVENTION TRIAL (SELECT),

The selenium and vitamin E cancer prevention trial (SELECT),

Prostate cancer is a good candidate for studies on primary prevention due to several specific features such as high prevalence, long latency, hormonal dependency, serum markers for monitoring.The specific causes of prostate cancer remain unknown. The primary risk factors are age, family history (genetic factors) and ethnic origin. Prostate cancer is very uncommon in men younger than 45, but becomes more common with advancing age. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 70. Men who have first-degree family members with prostate cancer appear to have double the risk of getting the disease compared to men without prostate cancer in the family. This risk appears to be greater for men with an affected brother than for men with an affected father. Men with high blood pressure are more likely to develop prostate cancer.

Geographic variations in incidence rates are considerable and, therefore, it has been suggested that environmental factors may also play a role. Data from migration studies clearly show that men with the same genetic background raised in different environments present the risk of the disease associated with their country of residency. Evidence from epidemiological studies supports a possible protective role in reducing prostate cancer for dietary vitamin B6, selenium , vitamin E, minerals (calcium, selenium), lycopene, cooked meat, and soy foods.

Most studies reported to date are case-control analysis. Recently the selenium and vitamin E cancer prevention trial (SELECT), however, is a population-based, prospective, randomized clinical trial to examine the effect of selenium and vitamin E alone or in combination on prostate cancer risk reduction. The trial was discontinued recently as there was no evidence of a benefit from either agent. Nevertheless, lifestyle changes could be recommended to men at risk for developing clinical prostate cancer.

Schmid HP, Fischer C, Engeler DS, Bendhack ML, Schmitz-Dräger BJ. Recent Results Cancer Res. Nutritional aspects of primary prostate cancer prevention.. Recent Results Cancer Res. 2011;188:101-7.