Protection from the most common types of cancer

Common Denominator

If we all maintained high blood levels of a common mineral, the two most common types of cancer might be a lot less common.

The sun gives…and takes

In the e-Alert “The D Master” (6/2/09), we were reminded once again just how important it is to consistently get moderate sun exposure. Your skin soaks up those UVB rays, prompting your body to produce ample amounts of vitamin D. That’s a big win for your overall health.

But hitting the beach or poolside (or a tanning bed) to bake yourself for hours in ultraviolet radiation will produce a beautiful tan while increasing your risk of developing the two most common cancers: basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

These cancers are rarely life-threatening, but they can be very uncomfortable and unsightly.

Recognizing that antioxidants can help protect the skin from ultraviolet exposure, a team lead by researchers at Australia’s Queensland Institute of Medical Research mounted a study to look for a link between high blood concentrations of antioxidants and rates of BCC and SCC cases.

The Queensland team compared blood samples to development of BCC and SCC in nearly 500 adults over seven years.

Results showed that there was no protective effect found in carotenoids or vitamin E. But the story with selenium was quite a bit different. Subjects with the highest blood levels of selenium were about 64 percent less likely to develop SCC, and 57 percent less likely to develop BCC compared to subjects with the lowest selenium levels.

Digging in the dirt

In 2003, the FDA announced that dietary supplement manufacturers could make this claim: “Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer.” At the time, however, there was no specific evidence that selenium could reduce SCC and BCC risk.

As I’ve noted in past e-Alerts, studies have shown that in addition to guarding against cancer, selenium’s antioxidant properties may also play a key role in immune system function.

Bread, fish, and meat contain selenium, but plant foods (especially those grown in selenium-rich soil) are the major dietary sources of the mineral. Brazil nuts top the selenium list – one ounce may contain as much as 840 mcg.

Talk to your doctor before increasing your supplemental intake of selenium.

Source:
“Serum Antioxidants and Skin Cancer Risk: An 8-Year Community-Based Follow-up Study” Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, Vol. 18, No. 4, April 2009, cebp.aacrjournals.org