Selenium May Slash Bladder Cancer Risk

Selenium is an essential micronutrient component of antioxidant proteins (selenoproteins) that help to offset the cellular damage otherwise resultant from oxygen metabolism. Nuria Malats, from the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (Spain), and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of seven published studies, to evaluate selenium levels and the risk of developing bladder cancer.  The researchers noted a significant protective effect of selenium, mainly among women, which they believe may result from gender-specific differences in the mineral's accumulation and excretion in women. The team urges that: “The present results suggest a beneficial effect of high selenium intake for bladder cancer risk.”