More than 31,000 men die of prostate cancer every year. It’s one
of the leading causes of cancer death among men. But taking certain vitamins
and minerals might prevent prostate cancer. Here is information about
a major research effort at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Like most men his age, Tom Shepherd is concerned about prostate cancer.
He decided to do something about it and enrolled in Select – the
selenium and vitamin E cancer prevention trial. The National Cancer Institute
began the trial last year, with the hopes of enrolling more than 32,000
men.
"Personally, you get a checkup all the time. And it’s the kind
of thing you should stay on top of. So it’s a win-win situation I
think," says Shepherd.
Preliminary research shows vitamin E and the mineral selenium reduces
prostate cancer by 30 to 60 percent, possibly blocking mutation at the
molecular level. Men over the age of 55 and African-American men over
50 are being sought for a 12-year study. The Holden Comprehensive Cancer
Center at the University of Iowa is one of 400 centers conducting this
research.
"We need people who are willing to learn for themselves but who
are also willing to help not only their children and grandchildren, but
other people’s children and grandchildren," says Richard Williams,
M.D., UI Health Care urologist.
For Tom Shepherd, the choice was easy. "It’s one of those kind
of things that if I can help provide some kind of an answer – great!"
"And the question is, can we prevent it from ever occurring in the
first place, so they’re not at risk for the treatments that have
some side effects, or death, from the disease?" asks Williams.
Researchers hope that during the next 12 years they find an answer to
that question. Researchers in the University of Iowa’s Department
of Urology have enrolled about 100 men for Select, but they need 300 more.
For more information, call UI Health Access’ at 800-777-8442. Or
visit http://www.uihealthcare.com/urology/.
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