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Selenium in breast cancer
Juan-Bosco Lopez-Saez1, Avelino Senra-Varela, Lorenzo Pousa-Estevez
1Department of Medicine, University of Cadiz School of Medicine, c/Dr. Marañón 6, E-11002 Cadiz, Spain. juanbosco.lopez@uca.es
Oncology
|April 17, 2003
Summary
Low serum selenium levels in women with breast cancer may be a result of the disease, not a cause. This study found lower selenium concentrations in breast cancer patients compared to healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Controversy exists regarding the link between low serum selenium, reduced glutathione peroxidase activity, and increased cancer risk.
- Selenium is an essential trace element vital for various physiological functions, including antioxidant defense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum selenium concentrations in women diagnosed with breast cancer compared to controls.
- To explore the relationship between selenium status and breast cancer development.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- Serum selenium levels were measured in women with breast cancer (n=200), healthy women (n=100), and women with chronic diseases (n=100).
- Breast cancer patients were stratified into premenopausal and postmenopausal groups.
Main Results:
- Women with breast cancer exhibited significantly lower mean serum selenium concentrations (81.1 microg/l) compared to women with non-tumoral conditions (98.5 microg/l).
- The difference in serum selenium levels was statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- The observed alterations in serum selenium levels in breast cancer patients are likely a consequence of the disease process.
- The findings suggest that a very low selenium status may be associated with the nature of cancer itself, rather than being a causative factor.