One in six men is at risk of getting prostate cancer in his lifetime. Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute researchers are trying to determine if selenium yeast and selenomethionine lower prostate-specific antigen levels and prevent other markers related to prostate cancer development in healthy individuals of different age groups. Selenium is a mineral and is known to protect against cancer in laboratory animal models.
Participants will be asked to take over-the-counter selenium yeast supplements and selenomethionine or a placebo for 12 out of 18 months. Six visits to the Medical Center are required during the study, where blood and urine samples will be collected.
Eligible participants are healthy males of any race between 20 and 79 years of age who have no evidence of prostate cancer, are nonsmokers, and can visit the Medical Center 6 times over 18 months. Compensation is provided.
To see if you are eligible for this study, contact Wanda Neidig at 717-531-1002.
Study director is Karam El-Bayoumy, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute. Clinical investigator is Dr. Carl Reese, Division of Urology.
This research study is funded by the National Cancer Institute and has been approved by the Institutional Review Board, under federal regulations, at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine.