Prostate cancer (PCa), the primary disease of men over 50 years of age is on the
increase worldwide. Most PCa grows slowly from overt clinical disease to the stage
that lead to death. The gradual course of PCA development provides opportunity
for intervention. Supplement of diet taken by PCa patients may be an effective
intervention because certain micronutrients had been implicated in cancer
prevention. The present study is designed to determine the levels of trace metals in
80 Nigeria males having different concentrations of serum prostate surface antigen
(PSA) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The serum levels of PSA were
measured with Beckman Coulter Access Immunoassay automated machine.
Subjects with PSA values 5-10ng/ml had significantly high serum levels of Zn, Fe,
Cd and Mn but significantly low level of Se compared with the controls (PSA 0-
4ng/ml). Subjects with PSA >10ng/ml had significantly low levels of Mn, Mg and
Se compared with the controls. Subjects with PSA values 5-10ng/ml had
significantly reduced level of Se compared with subjects with PSA >10ng/ml. Only
Se was low in all subjects with PSA >4ng/ml, therefore there is a possibility that Se
intake may reduce the risk and progression of PCA.