On October 28th the National Cancer Institute has halted its $114 million study of whether vitamin E and selenium can prevent prostate cancer.  A safety panel for the 35,000 man study halted the program when an early look at the data showed no benefit for the treatment.

According to an article in WebMD -

There were slightly more prostate cancers in men taking vitamin E alone, and slightly more diabetes in men taking only selenium. But neither finding was statistically significant, meaning they were likely due to chance.

“The data to date suggest, but do not prove, that vitamin E may slightly increase the chance of getting prostate cancer, and that selenium may increase the chance of getting diabetes mellitus,” warns a letter sent to study participants by the Southwest Oncology Group, which ran the NCI-funded study.

The letter sent to men in the study is reproduced here.

Dear SELECT Participant:

We are writing to give you important information about SELECT.

The Study leadership now has enough data to be able to tell you to stop taking the Study supplements, although SELECT will continue. We have found that it is unlikely that selenium or vitamin E will prevent prostate cancer even if you continue to take Study Supplements.

SELECT is not over. There is valuable information to be gained from your continued participation in SELECT.  We would like for you to continue to visit your study site and provide health and medical information to study staff. As one of the largest medical studies of men, the study will help us answer many critical questions about men’s health and will assist scientists in the future.

The data to date suggest, but do not prove, that vitamin E may slightly increase the chance of getting prostate cancer, and that selenium may increase the chance of getting diabetes mellitus. We want to emphasize that these findings are not proven. We will learn more about the effects of the Study Supplements as we continue to monitor your health. Your safety is our priority.

Here is what we would like you to do: Please stop taking your Study Supplements but keep your Study Supplement bottles. Bring your Study Supplement bottles and any remaining Study Supplements to your next study site visit. You may continue taking the Study Multivitamin.

You will get more information at your next study site visit. You may also visit the SELECT website, http://www.crab.org/select, for more information.

We now know that selenium and vitamin E do not prevent prostate cancer. This important public health finding is a result of your contribution to SELECT. The SELECT National Participant Advisory Board and the leadership of SELECT appreciate your ongoing commitment. We all share the same goal – to reduce the burden of cancer.

Initially it was thought that both Vitamin E and Selenium would be helpful in the prevention of prostate cancer.  Previous studies had indicated that since vitamin E and selenium, both antioxidants, might help control the cell damage caused by free radicals that can lead to cancer.  A published study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 1996  suggested prostate cancer incidences were reduced by two-thirds in men taking selenium on a daily basis.

Another study on vitamin E found a one-third reduction in prostate cancer incidence.  Selenium is a nutritionally essential element that occurs in the soil and is absorbed by our bodies through plant and animal products.  Organ means and brazil nuts are especially high in selenium. The soil of the southeastern U.S. is poor in selenium.  Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin present in foods in small quantities such as vegetable oils, nuts, vegetables, milk fat and egg yolk.

Needless to say, had the study proven the link, it would have been an easy solution to take something that is easily found over the counter.

There are those who feel that the halted study is a manipulation of data to support the medical machine.  I can’t express and opinion on that one way or the other.  What I can say is that I am here today – a PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR – living due to the benefits of Western medicine.  But for those who want an opposing opinion…click here.

Prostate cancer is the ninth most common cancer worldwide, but the most common type of cancer in U.S. males. Prostate cancer screening for men aged 75 or older should be stopped, since the risks involved pose more immediate danger that the cancer itself. It seems that this type of cancer affected 18% of United States men and led to death of 3% in 2005 only. Prostate cancer is the fifth most deadly tumour after lung, breast, colon and pancreatic cancer.