A new study suggests that Selenium, a trace mineral found in grains, nuts and meats, may aid in the prevention of high-risk bladder cancer. Researchers from Dartmouth Medical School compared selenium levels in 767 individuals newly diagnosed with bladder cancer to the levels of 1,108 individuals from the general population. Findings showed a connection between low Selenium and bladder cancer among women, some smokers and those with p53 positive bladder cancer.
Nuts are a good source of selenium.
"There are different pathways by which bladder cancer evolves and it is thought that one of the major pathways involves alterations in the p53 gene," said author Margaret Karagas, PhD. "Ultimately, if it is true that selenium can prevent a certain subset of individuals, like women, from developing bladder cancer, or prevent certain types of tumors, such as those evolving through the p53 pathway, from developing, it gives us clues about how the tumors could be prevented in the future and potentially lead to chemopreventive efforts," Karagas said.
Karagas hopes to replicate these findings on a larger scale in order to examine the connection between Selenium and bladder cancer in women and those with p53 tumors, as well as with patient prognosis.
Source: American Association for Cancer Research, Dec 8, 2008
