NIH suspends SELECT
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
The National Institutes of Health suspends research on whether vitamin E and selenium supplements prevent prostate cancer after prostate cases increased among the subjects taking only vitamin E and cases of adult onset diabetes increased in those taking selenium. The National Cancer Institute says Oct. 27 that data from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial showed "small but not statistically significant" increases in the two conditions. NCI adds that "neither of these findings proves an increased risk from the supplements and both may be due to chance." The Southwest Oncology Group coordinated SELECT at more than 400 sites (1"The Tan Sheet" March 21, 2005, p. 13). More than 35,000 men aged 50 and older were randomly assigned to take selenium and vitamin E; selenium and a placebo; vitamin E and a placebo; or two placebos. NCI will advise SELECT participants to stop taking the supplements