On Jul. 24, 2001, the largest-ever prostate cancer prevention study was launched by the National Cancer Institute and a network of researchers known as the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG).

The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, or SELECT, was designed to determine if these two dietary supplements can protect against prostate cancer, the most common form of cancer, after skin cancer, in men. The study was expected to include a total of 32,400 men in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center housed the group that will oversee data analysis for this massive international effort, called the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, or SELECT.