Selenium, a natural mineral found in multivitamins and in many foods such as grains, corn, fish and animal organ meats, was originally investigated as a potential method of preventing skin cancer. Previous research with vitamin E and selenium, in studies focusing on other types of cancer, suggested that together these nutrients might also prevent prostate cancer, says S. Bruce Malkowicz, MD, associate professor of Urology and principal investigator of the study. What makes this study so appealing is that taking vitamin E and selenium, a natural vitamin and mineral found in many common foods, is completely non-toxic when taken in regulated dosages.
Penn, the coordinating site for 15 other Pennsylvania locations, is one of more than 400 sites in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada recruiting participants for this trial which is the largest-ever for prostate cancer prevention. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, or SELECT, is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and the Southwest Oncology Group. It will include a total of 32,400 men and may take up to 12 years to complete.
Men of all races and ethnic background are encouraged to participate in the trial. African-American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world and are especially encouraged to consider joining the trial. The disease also strikes black men at a younger age, so they are el
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Contact: Olivia Fermano
olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu
215-349-5653
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
24-Jan-2002