Investigation of selenium levels in patients with fibrocystic breast disease

The present study was conducted to compare serum selenium levels in patients with breast pain. Patients with fibrocystic disease (FCD) and other breast pathologies were divided into two groups. Biochemical analysis and some habits of patients admitted to the general surgery outpatient clinic with breast pain were reviewed retrospectively. The serum selenium levels were found to be lower in patients with FCD than in those with other breast pathologies (P < 0.00001). At the same time, tea and cigarette consumption was higher in patients with FCD having breast pain (P = 0.026 and P = 0.034, respectively). The serum selenium level was lower in patients with FCD who had breast pain than in patients with other benign breast pathologies. Tea and cigarette consumption was higher in these patients than in other patients. Further studies should monitor serum selenium levels indicating whether selenium supplementation is effective in patients with FCD.