Selenium

Indication: Bladder cancer

Source: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. November, 2002;11(11):1505-6.

Research: A large population-based pro­spective study on diet and cancer was conducted in 120,852 men and women living in The Netherlands, including 431 with bladder cancer. Each participant was asked to complete a questionnaire on risk factors for cancer including diet, exposure to industrial chemicals and smoking history, and to provide toenail clippings to detect trace quantities of selenium.

Results: The results showed that men and women in groups with the highest quantities of selenium in their toenails—at least 30% higher than the lowest quantities of selenium—experienced slightly fewer cases of bladder cancer. There is evidence that selenium intake may help prevent bladder cancer in both men and women, particularly among former smokers.