Home
About
Services
Robotic Surgery
Screening and Detection
Prostate Information
Treatments
On-Site Screening
Complementary Medicine
Hours & Travel Directions
Contact

The Prostate Program
Select

What is SELECT?

The SELenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial is an important research study taking place in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. SELECT is trying to find out if taking selenium and/or vitamin E supplements can prevent prostate cancer. We already have some evidence that these supplements may be able to prevent prostate cancer, but we don’t know for sure.

SELECT is sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, a government agency. The study is coordinated by a group of researchers know as the Southwest Oncology Group. This Group is working with the Dickstein Cancer Center. More than 32,000 men will take part in SELECT.

Who can participate in SELECT?

You may be able participate in SELECT if:

  • You are a man age 55 or older, or an African-American man age 50 or older. The age difference is because prostate cancer appears at younger ages in African-American men than in men of other ethnic groups.

  • You have never had prostate cancer.

  • You have not had any other cancer for the last five years (except skin cancer).

  • You are in generally good health.

What will happen if I participate in SELECT?

You will read and sign a consent form that explains SELECT in more detain. You will then be assigned by chance to take selenium, vitamin E, both, or inactive capsules called placebos that look like selenium and vitamin E. All capsules are provided free of charge.

We will give you two bottles of capsules. You should take one capsule from each bottle every day.

You will need to visit The Dickstein Center every six months to pick up new bottles of capsules and to discuss you progress on the study. We will ask you to stay on the study for 7-12 years, depending upon when you join.

Why participate in SELECT?

As a SELECT participant, you will be a partner in medical research and may reduce your chance of getting prostate cancer. You will also have a chance to help future generations, including your sons and grandsons become free of prostate cancer.

We will offer you and your significant other a free Multivitamin that does not have selenium or vitamin E. If you are already taking supplements that contain selenium or vitamin E, we will ask you to stop taking them. You don’t need to change your diet.

How can you fine out more about SELECT?

Email us at SELECT@prostateprogram.com

Back to Complementary Medicine