serum levels of selenium and zinc in patients with breast cancer: a case-control study

Background: zinc (zn) and selenium (se) are trace minerals that have high anti-cancer and chemopreventive properties. objectives: this study aimed at evaluating the serum levels of both elements in women with breast cancer (bc) compared with control group and the correlation of them with risk factors of bc. methods: in a case-control study, 142 women with bc and 158 healthy controls, aged 19 to 88 years, were selected. both groups did not use any type of supplement 3 months before participation in the study; there was no history of chronic kidney or liver disease or malabsorption disorders among the participants and body mass index was between 18.5 and 30 based on quetelet index. the se by graphite furnace and zn by flame were atomized and the amount of each of 2 elements was measured and recorded by the absorption device. results: the mean zn was 689.57  146.13 mg/dl in the patient group and 874.85  150.53 mg/dl in the control group (p < 0.001). also, the mean se was 101.2417.27 mg/dl in the patient group and 115.3613.31 mg/dl in the control group (p < 0.001). there was a significant difference between se level with stage in patients; therefore, the se level was lower in metastatic stage compared with 2 other stages (p = 0.028). conclusions: decreasing the serum levels of se and zn may be the risk factors for bc. it seems that adding micronutrients of zn and se in patients with low serum levels may reduce the risk of bc.