$Unique_ID{BRK02394}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Can Intake of Some Metals Prevent Cancer?}
$Subject{poisons poisonous metals prevent cancer iron hemoglobin plumbism
toxic prevention trace elements chromium copper zinc iodine manganese
molybdenum selenium polyps precancerous lesion colon cancers neoplasm
neoplasms poisoning nutrition diet diets metal metallic ca}
$Volume{B-26,O-26}
$Log{
Colonoscopic View of Colon Conditions*0002803.scf}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Can Intake of Some Metals Prevent Cancer?


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QUESTION:  I always thought that metals were poisons to human beings.  Now I
am told that metals can prevent cancer, and can't understand how this might be
true.  Do you know of anything that could help solve this riddle and would you
please provide me with that information?  I am sure many of your readers are
quite confused by these recent stories.

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ANSWER:  Your original perception is clearly wrong when you consider that
irons is certainly a "metal" and forms a vital part of the hemoglobin
molecule, found in all the red cells in your body.  Your thoughts about poison
metals do hold up, however, when considering the action of excessive amounts
of lead in the body, a condition known as "plumbism" and certainly a type of
toxic or poison action.  It is your statement about cancer prevention,
however, that leads us to the real focus of your question, for here we find
some new reports on the actions of trace elements in our physiology, that
reveal some interesting evidence.  These elements include, chromium, copper,
zinc, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, and selenium.  It is a recent study of
selenium that attracted the attention of the press, for the interpretation of
selenium levels in the blood compared to the incidence of colon cancer lead to
a theory that selenium might be responsible for reducing the occurrence of
this cancer.  Actually the research showed that patients with low levels of
selenium had three times the chance of developing polyps of the colon than
people with higher levels.  Polyps are known to be a precancerous lesion
(remember President Reagan's medical history?), and so represent a real risk
for the development of a colon cancer.  Both red meat and shellfish represent
a good natural source of selenium, which is need in microscopic amounts,
measured in micrograms, to provide this apparent protection.  Scientists are
still not sure how selenium works, or if this statistical evaluation will hold
up in future evaluations, but is seems to indicate that more study is needed,
particularly about the actions of these trace elements.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.