Vitamin E, Selenium & Prostate Cancer

The prostate, a male reproduction gland, sits in the center of a busy anatomical intersection where it can produce a variety of health issues, including prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one in six men will be diagnosed with the disease during his lifetime. While certain findings indicate that vitamin E and selenium may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer, scientific evidence remains complicated and unclear.

About Vitamin E

Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, helps neutralize free radicals -- harmful molecules of oxygen that destabilize healthy cells and DNA -- and may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells, including those of prostate cancer. Both the dietary and synthetic forms of vitamin E seem to stop or slow down the growth of tumors, according to Dr. Pamela Ellsworth, author of "100 Questions and Answers About Prostate Cancer." Furthermore, according to the National Cancer Institute, a 1998 Finnish study showed that the addition of vitamin E to the diet of male smokers reduced the incidence of prostate cancer by 32 percent. Foods rich in vitamin E include soybeans, wheat germ, spinach and egg yolks.

About Selenium

Your body needs only small amounts of selenium, a nonmetallic trace element, to maintain good health. A component of the powerful antioxidant glutathione peroxidase, selenium may help minimize the risk of cancer and its progression by preventing damage caused by free radicals. According to a study published by Johns Hopkins' "Prostate Cancer Update," as selenium levels dip with age, the risks of developing prostate cancer rise. This leads researchers to speculate that selenium may actually help counteract prostate cancer. Similar findings came out of the 1996 Nutritional Prevention of Cancer trial, according to the National Institute of Cancer. This large study indicated that adding selenium to the diet lowered the incidence of prostate cancer by 60 percent.

Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial

The National Cancer Institute sponsored a 12-year nationwide study called the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, or SELECT. Although initial findings indicated that vitamin E and selenium seem to inhibit prostate cancer, SELECT had contrary results. The data collected in 2008 showed that vitamin E and selenium, taken separately or together, did not prevent prostate cancer. In fact, although attributed to chance, there were slightly more incidences of prostate cancer in those men who took vitamin E.

Cautions and Considerations

Generally considered safe, do not take vitamin E if you have had a stroke, bleeding problems or take anti-coagulant medications. Vitamin E can interfere with the absorption and action of vitamin K, a vitamin involved in blood coagulation. While rare in the United States, elevated levels of selenium can lead to a condition known as selenosis. Symptoms include gastrointestinal problems, bloating and flatulence, hair loss, blotchy problems, garlic-smelling breath, fatigue, irritability and mild nerve damage.