The relationship between selenium levels and breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#breast-neoplasms #confidence-intervals #female #humans #nails

The relationship between selenium levels and breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Babaknejad et al., 2014 | Biol Trace Elem Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Babaknejad Nasim, Sayehmiri Fatemeh, ... Alizadeh Sajjad. The relationship between selenium levels and breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2014-Jun;159(1-3):1-7. doi:10.1007/s12011-014-9998-3

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type. In several studies, hints have been provided that there is a correlation between selenium deficiency and the incidence of breast cancer. Findings of these published reports are, however, inconsistent. This study serves as a pioneering study aiming at combining the results of studies using a meta-analytic method. A total of 16 articles published between 1980 and 2012 worldwide were selected through searching PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar databases, and the information were analyzed using a meta-analytic method [random effects model]. I (2) statistics were used to examine heterogeneity. The information was then analyzed by STATA version 12. In this study, due to the non-uniform methods used to measure selenium concentrations, selenium levels were measured in the various subgroups in both case and control groups. There were significant correlations between selenium concentration and breast cancer [P<0.05]. Hence, the mean risk differentiating criteria were estimated to be 0.63 [95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.93 to 0.32] in serum and toenails. Subgroup analysis showed that the value in toenails was -0.07 [95% CI -0.16 to 0.03] and in serum -1.04 [95% CI 1.71 to -0.38]. In studies in which selenium concentrations were measured in serum, a significant correlation was observed between selenium concentration and breast cancer. In contrast, in studies in which selenium concentration was measured in toenails, the correlation was not significant. Therefore, the selenium concentration can be used as one predictor for breast cancer.

Key Findings

Therefore, the selenium concentration can be used as one predictor for breast cancer.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nails
  • Selenium

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: selenium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09