Selenium

Suggested

2 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Suggested2 studies

Higher selenium levels linked to 33-45% lower bladder cancer risk

A large prospective case-cohort study of 120,852 men and women (ages 55-69) followed over 6 years identified 431 bladder cancer cases among 2,459 subcohort members. Those in the highest quintiles of toenail selenium showed significantly reduced bladder cancer risk compared to the lowest quintile, with adjusted rate ratios of 0.55 (95% CI: 0.38-0.79), 0.63 (95% CI: 0.43-0.91), and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.46-0.97), demonstrating a significant dose-response trend (P-trend < 0.01). The protective association was strongest among ex-smokers (P-trend < 0.01) and primarily observed in invasive transitional cell carcinomas. While these observational findings support adequate selenium status as potentially protective against bladder cancer, no specific supplementation dosage was evaluated in these studies.

Evidence

Prediagnostic toenail selenium and risk of bladder cancer

Authors: Bode, G., Goldbohm, R.A., van den Brandt, P.A., Zeegers, M.P.A.

Published: January 1, 2002

A prospective case-cohort study within a cohort of 120,852 men and women aged 55-69 years followed from 1986 to 1992 identified 431 bladder cancer cases among 2,459 subcohort members with available toenail selenium data. Compared to the lowest quintile, adjusted rate ratios for increasing quintiles of toenail selenium were 1.09 (95% CI: 0.80-1.48), 0.55 (95% CI: 0.38-0.79), 0.63 (95% CI: 0.43-0.91), and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.46-0.97), with a significant trend (P-trend < 0.01). The inverse association was most pronounced among ex-smokers (P-trend < 0.01) and was mainly confined to invasive transitional cell carcinomas.

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Prediagnostic toenail selenium and risk of bladder cancer

Authors: Bode, G., Goldbohm, R.A., van den Brandt, P.A., Zeegers, M.P.A.

Published: January 1, 2002

In a prospective case-cohort study of 120,852 men and women aged 55-69 years followed from 1986 to 1992, 431 bladder cancer cases were identified among 2,459 subcohort members with toenail selenium data. Age-, sex-, and smoking-adjusted rate ratios across increasing quintiles of toenail selenium were 1.00 (reference), 1.09 (95% CI 0.80-1.48), 0.55 (95% CI 0.38-0.79), 0.63 (95% CI 0.43-0.91), and 0.67 (95% CI 0.46-0.97), with a significant trend (P-trend < 0.01). The inverse association was most pronounced among ex-smokers (P-trend < 0.01) and was mainly confined to invasive transitional cell carcinomas.

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