§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has any information on the protection offered by selenium against carcinogens in humans.
§ Mr. DorrellSome reports in the scientific literature suggest that the risk of developing cancers of the lung, colon and bladder decreases as the consumption of vegetables with a high selenium content increases. However, other reports suggest that the risk of developing cancers of the stomach and liver and, in contradiction of the aforementioned reports, of the lung increases as the blood level of selenium increases.
Selenium is one of a number of substances that appear to inhibit the development of cancer. The mechanism whereby such substances exercise inhibitory effects are not clear and, for the present, no firm conclusions can be drawn. It is important to note that an excess of selenium can cause acute illness and it is inadvisable for anyone to take selenium supplements other than under medical supervision. Eating a well-balanced diet will ensure, for most people, an adequate intake of selenium.
If further data become available they will be carefully considered.
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§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he is aware of any studies which point to a possible role for calcium ingestion in the prevention of cancers in humans;
(2) if his Department has any information on studies which have demonstrated a possible link between nutrition and pre-cancerous intestinal lesions;
(3) if his Department holds any information on studies of links between diet and cancers of the pancreas and bile ducts.
§ Mr. DorrellNo such studies have been drawn to our attention.
§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department holds any information on studies which demonstrate a possible relationship between nutrition, alcohol consumption and breast cancer.
§ Mr. DorrellWe are aware of a number of studies investigating such links.
§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has yet received the report of the International Agency for Research on Cancer on the control study relating to the links between nutrition, lifestyle and the incidence of breast and colon cancer in the European Community.
§ Mr. DorrellNo.