Does selenium supplementation prevent cancer?

Bottom Line

Well-designed and well-conducted RCTs have shown no beneficial effect of selenium supplements in reducing cancer risk (high certainty of evidence). For analyses of RCTs with low risk of bias, the summary risk ratio (RR) for any cancer incidence was 1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93 to 1.10; 3 studies, 19,475 participants; high-certainty evidence). (S1)

Cochrane (2018) rated this evidence high certainty.

The registry also contains 2 later systematic reviews or guidelines on this question (latest 2023). They are not summarised here; see the full list in Research Rail.

Sources

1. S1 Selenium for preventing cancer. Vinceti M, Filippini T, Del Giovane C et al. · 2018 Jan 29 · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · Systematic review / meta-analysis

This report screened 46 items (43 research or guidance records, 3 community posts); the full list is available in Research Rail.