Washington: Breast cancer for those genetically re-disposed to it, can be prevented by taking nutritional supplements of selenium, a trace element present in certain nutty foods, liver and kidneys.

The study carried out by nutrition scientists Alan Diamond and Ya Jun Hu, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, report on their latest findings in the June 15 issue of the journal, 'Cancer Research'.

"For over 20 years, animal studies have shown that tiny amounts of selenium in the diet can suppress cancer in several types of organs. Although animal data is very strong, but now human data is just emerging," said Diamond.

The study focused on the role of a selenium-containing protein called glutathione peroxidase, which acts as an antioxidant. Comparing the same genes from 517 cancer-free individuals with those of 79 breast cancer tissue samples, it arrived at the conclusion that there is a difference in the frequency of different versions of the genes in tumors, vis-à-vis people without cancer.

These differences have a functional consequence, suggesting that a person with a certain version of the gene may require more selenium in the diet to get the cancer-preventive benefits.

Although it is still too early to make recommendations about baseline levels of dietary selenium beneficial to humans, Diamond hopes that by identifying what version of the gene a person has, selenium supplements can someday be prescribed accordingly.

ANI