The Association Between Selenium Levels and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 16,964 Participants (1980-2024)

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #prostatic-neoplasms #selenium #male #risk-factors

The Association Between Selenium Levels and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 16,964 Participants (1980-2024)

Ghaderi et al., 2025 | Asian Pac J Cancer Prev | Meta Analysis

Citation

Ghaderi Mobin, Moradpour Farhad, ... Moradi Yousef. The Association Between Selenium Levels and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 16,964 Participants (1980-2024). Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2025-Oct-01;26(10):3571-3580. doi:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.10.3571

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies worldwide have explored the link between selenium levels and prostate cancer, yet their findings remain inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify this association by synthesizing results from analytical observational studies, including cohort and case-control studies. The insights from this meta-analysis could significantly impact healthcare decisions, clinical management, and treatment guideline updates. METHOD: This study utilized a systematic review and meta-analysis approach, conducting a comprehensive literature search across international databases such as PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase with relevant keywords. Articles were screened at the title, abstract, and full-text levels, followed by a quality assessment using the NOS checklist. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 17. RESULTS: After pooling data from eleven studies investigating the relationship between plasma or serum selenium and prostate cancer risk, findings indicated that higher selenium levels were associated with an 11% reduced risk of prostate cancer (RR= 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83 - 0.95; P-value= 0.03; I square= 34.46%). When selenium dosage was considered, with doses below 70 μg as the reference, individuals exposed to 130-160 μg exhibited a reduced cancer risk of 0.85 (RR= 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76 - 0.96; P-value= 0.18; I square= 27.37%), while those exposed to doses of 160 μg or higher had an RR of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.69 - 1.15; P-value= 0.19; I square= 0.00%). Additionally, an inverse relationship was found between selenium levels in toenails and prostate cancer risk (RR= 0.61; 95% CI: 0.50 - 0.75; P-value= 0.63; I square= 0.00%) and advanced prostate cancer (RR= 0.73; 95% CI: 0.67 - 0.80; P-value= 0.00; I square= 69.79%). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that selenium may have a protective effect against prostate cancer. Strategies to optimize selenium intake should be considered for prostate cancer prevention and management.

Key Findings

After pooling data from eleven studies investigating the relationship between plasma or serum selenium and prostate cancer risk, findings indicated that higher selenium levels were associated with an 11% reduced risk of prostate cancer (RR= 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83 - 0.95; P-value= 0.03; I square= 34.46%). When selenium dosage was considered, with doses below 70 μg as the reference, individuals exposed to 130-160 μg exhibited a reduced cancer risk of 0.85 (RR= 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76 - 0.96; P-value= 0.18;

Outcomes Measured

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Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Selenium
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Prognosis

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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