Prostate Cancer Prevention
12/11/2001

One of the most frequently asked questions I hear from patients who are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer is: 'Why did I get prostate cancer?'  Although genetic links in prostate cancer are as strong as in most other solid tumors, the majority of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer today have no family history of the disease.

Environmental factors, including diet, undoubtedly play a role in the development of the disease.  Therefore, one of the other most common questions I hear is: 'How can my son prevent this from happening to him?'  Epidemiologic studies in the past have suggested that high fat diet, vitamin D, E, selenium and lycopene may all influence the risk of prostate cancer.  

Recently the National Cancer Institute and the Southwest Oncology group launched the first study to look at the effects of vitamin E and selenium in the Selenium and vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT). This trial, open to accrual around the country, will prospectively test the preventive effects of these supplements, alone and in combination, in 32,000 men. While the results may not be available for years to come, this study offers the most rational and systematic approach to prostate cancer prevention.

Reference:

Klein EA, Thompson IM, Lippman SM, Goodman PJ, Albanes D, Taylor PR, Coltman C. SELECT: the next prostate cancer prevention trial. Selenum and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial