Bladder cancer
Supplements studied for bladder cancer.
Overview
Seven supplements are indexed for bladder cancer across 24 studies, all with low ratings.
Selenium (WA 40; very low effect size, high evidence, medium trust) early promise was not confirmed in later trials—supplementation did not prevent, delay recurrence, or improve survival. Vitamin E (WA 52; low effect size, high evidence, medium trust) shows inconsistent observational links; long-term supplement use beyond 10 years may relate to lower bladder-cancer mortality in some analyses but evidence is uncertain.
Black Tea (WA 40; low effect size, evidence, and trust) and Green Tea (WA 52; low effect size, high evidence, medium trust) do not show clear protective effects in large human studies. Lycopene (WA 32; very low effect size, medium evidence, low trust) is not clearly linked to bladder cancer risk. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Vitamin E | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Green Tea | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Oleic Acid | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Selenium | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
| Black Tea | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Maitake Mushroom | ★★★★★ | Low |
| Lycopene | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
7 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Green TeaView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear if drinking green tea helps prevent bladder cancer.
- Some studies suggest it might lower risk, but larger reviews show no clear link between green tea drinking and bladder cancer risk.
- These mixed findings mean more research is needed to confirm if green tea has any protective effect against bladder cancer.
Browse 6 studies·3 meta-analyses
MetaGreen tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer2020n=1,795
A Cochrane review found very low-certainty evidence that green tea may reduce some cancer risks, with no clear effect on overall cancer incidence.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Participants
- 1,795
MetaA meta-analysis of tea consumption and the risk of bladder cancer2013
A meta-analysis of observational studies found no significant association between tea consumption and bladder cancer risk.
- Effect
- Benefit
MetaThe association of tea consumption with bladder cancer risk: a meta-analysis2013
A meta-analysis of observational studies found no significant association between tea consumption and bladder cancer risk.
- Effect
- No Benefit
MetaTea consumption and risk of bladder cancer: a meta-analysis2012
A meta-analysis of observational studies found tea consumption was not associated with bladder cancer risk.
- Effect
- No Benefit
ObservationalPrognostic significance of selected lifestyle factors in urinary bladder cancer1993
In a follow-up study of 258 bladder cancer patients, green tea consumption was associated with better 5-year survival in men.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Cancer patients
ObservationalCase-control study of urinary bladder cancer in metropolitan Nagoya1985n=293
In a case-control study of 293 bladder cancer patients in Nagoya, green tea consumption was associated with reduced bladder cancer risk in women.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 293
Vitamin EView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is uncertain if taking vitamin E supplements lowers bladder cancer risk.
- Some research shows that people with the highest vitamin E intake over more than 10 years have a lower risk of bladder cancer, but this was not seen with shorter follow-up, and it's unclear how much vitamin E is needed or if the source (food or supplements) matters.
- Taking vitamin E supplements regularly for over 10 years may reduce death from bladder cancer, but shorter use does not.
- One study found that taking 200 IU vitamin E daily for about 1.5 years increased the chance that bladder cancer would return, but did not affect cancer progression or death.
- The FDA allows a qualified health claim but states vitamin E is unlikely to reduce bladder cancer risk.
Browse 3 studies·1 meta-analysis
RCTSelenium and Vitamin E for Prevention of Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Recurrence and Progression: A Randomized Clinical Trial2023n=140
In 270 patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, selenium 200 mcg/day and/or vitamin E did not prevent recurrence versus placebo in this factorial RCT.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 200 mcg/day
- Population
- Patients with bladder cancer
- Participants
- 140
- Ages
- 63–77
MetaVitamin E consumption and the risk of bladder cancer2019n=75,601
A meta-analysis of 11 prospective studies (575,601 participants) found highest vs lowest vitamin E intake associated with 11% lower bladder cancer risk (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.78–1.00).
- Effect
- Benefit
- Participants
- 75,601
ObservationalVitamin C and vitamin E supplement use and bladder cancer mortality in a large cohort of US men and women2002
In CPS-II (991,522 US adults), vitamin E supplement use for 10+ years was linked to 40% lower bladder cancer mortality (RR 0.60); shorter use showed no benefit.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
Oleic AcidView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear whether taking oleic acid helps prevent bladder cancer.
- Population research shows that people with the highest blood levels of oleic acid have about a 46% lower risk of bladder cancer than those with the lowest levels.
- However, these blood levels only partly reflect diet because the body can make oleic acid from saturated fats.
- The benefits of supplements for bladder cancer are unknown.
Browse 4 studies
ObservationalCirculating oleic acid levels are related to greater risks of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis2018n=6,568
In 6568 MESA participants followed 13 years, top-quartile plasma oleic acid was associated with higher rates of coronary artery calcium, aortic valve calcification, and carotid plaque.
- Participants
- 6,568
ObservationalDecreased Oleic Acid and Marine n - 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Tunisian Patients with Urothelial Bladder Cancer2018n=250
In 250 bladder cancer cases vs controls, higher plasma oleic, EPA, and DHA were associated with lower urothelial bladder cancer risk; higher palmitic acid and n-6:n-3 ratio raised risk.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Patients with bladder cancer
- Participants
- 250
ObservationalRelation between plasma phospholipid oleic acid and risk of heart failure2018
In a nested case-control of men from the Physicians' Health Study, plasma phospholipid oleic acid was not significantly associated with incident heart failure across quartiles.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Patients with heart failure
- Avg age
- ~59
ObservationalOlive oil consumption, plasma oleic acid, and stroke incidence: the Three-City Study2011n=7
In 7625 French adults from the Three-City Study, olive oil intake >0.5 tablespoon/day was associated with 41% lower stroke risk vs nonuse; higher plasma oleic acid also predicted lower stroke.
- Population
- Older adults
- Participants
- 7
Black TeaView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Research shows that drinking tea, including black or green tea, does not seem to lower the risk of bladder or other urinary tract cancers.
- Large studies comparing people who drink a lot of tea to those who rarely or never drink tea find no difference in bladder cancer risk.
- While some lab studies with cells and animals suggest tea might protect against cancer, this effect has not been clearly seen in people.
- Drinking tea is generally healthy but does not appear to reduce bladder cancer risk.
Browse 2 studies
ObservationalTea consumption and cancer incidence in a prospective cohort study of postmenopausal women1996
In 35,369 postmenopausal Iowa women followed 8 years, ≥2 cups/day tea was associated with 32% lower digestive tract cancer risk (RR 0.68) and 60% lower urinary tract cancer risk (RR 0.40) versus never/occasional drinkers.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Postmenopausal women
ObservationalBlack tea consumption and cancer risk: a prospective study1986
In 7,833 Japanese-American men, black tea intake >1/day was associated with 4.2-fold higher rectal cancer risk (P=0.0007) but 44% lower prostate cancer risk (P=0.020); no significant associations at other sites.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Men
SeleniumView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Early research suggested selenium might help reduce the risk of bladder cancer, so in 2009 the FDA allowed a cautionary statement about this.
- But later studies have not confirmed that selenium supplements lower the risk of bladder cancer or help people who already have it.
- Taking selenium for several years did not stop bladder cancer from starting, coming back, or getting worse, nor did it help people live longer in studies with men and those treated for early bladder cancer.
Browse 4 studies·1 meta-analysis
RCTSelenium and Vitamin E for Prevention of Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Recurrence and Progression: A Randomized Clinical Trial2023n=140
In 270 patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, selenium 200 mcg/day and/or vitamin E did not prevent recurrence versus placebo in this factorial RCT.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 200 mcg/day
- Population
- Patients with bladder cancer
- Participants
- 140
- Ages
- 63–77
RCTPhase III randomised chemoprevention study with selenium on the recurrence of non-invasive urothelial carcinoma. The SELEnium and BLAdder cancer Trial2016n=141
In 292 Belgian bladder cancer patients over 3 years, selenium yeast 200 mcg/day did not reduce non-invasive urothelial carcinoma recurrence versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 3 years
- Dose
- 200 mcg/day
- Population
- Patients with bladder cancer
- Participants
- 141
MetaSelenium Exposure and Cancer Risk: an Updated Meta-analysis and Meta-regression2016
An updated meta-analysis of 69 studies found higher selenium exposure associated with lower overall cancer risk, though selenium supplements did not show clear preventive efficacy.
- Effect
- No Benefit
RCTEvaluation of vitamin E and selenium supplementation for the prevention of bladder cancer in SWOG coordinated SELECT2012n=34,887
A SELECT secondary analysis in 34,887 men found selenium, vitamin E, or both did not reduce bladder cancer incidence over median 7.1 years follow-up.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 4 g/day
- Population
- Patients with bladder cancer
- Participants
- 34,887
LycopeneView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Most research shows no clear connection between eating lycopene-rich foods or having lycopene in the blood and the risk of developing bladder cancer.
- Studies have generally not found that lycopene affects bladder cancer risk.
Browse 4 studies
ObservationalTomatoes, tomato-based products, lycopene, and cancer: review of the epidemiologic literature1999
A review of 72 epidemiologic studies found 57 reported inverse associations between tomato/lycopene intake or blood levels and cancer risk, with strongest evidence for prostate, lung, and stomach cancers.
- Effect
- Benefit
ObservationalNutrient intake in relation to bladder cancer among middle-aged men and women1996n=405
In 262 bladder cancer cases versus 405 controls, higher dietary retinol and vitamin C and multivitamin use were associated with lower bladder cancer risk; carotenoids were not individually highlighted.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 10 years
- Dose
- 502 mg/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 405
- Ages
- 45–65
Clinical trialDiet and bladder cancer in Spain: a multi-centre case-control study1991
In a Spanish multicentre bladder cancer case-control study, high saturated fat intake increased risk; vitamin E showed a nonsignificant protective trend and retinol/carotene showed no association.
- Effect
- No Benefit
ObservationalSelenium, lycopene, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, retinol, and subsequent bladder cancer1989
In 35 bladder cancer cases from a 25,802-person cohort followed 12 years, lower baseline serum selenium and borderline lower lycopene were associated with higher bladder cancer risk.
Maitake MushroomView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- There is not enough evidence to determine if maitake mushroom has any benefit for bladder cancer.
- Anecdotal case reports have found some benefit.
Browse 1 study
Case reportPossible disease remission in patient with invasive bladder cancer with D-fraction regimen2009
A case report described apparent disease remission in a patient with invasive bladder cancer treated with Maitake D-fraction alongside conventional therapy, though controlled trials are needed.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 2000 mg/day
- Population
- Cancer patients
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Tea | ★★★★★52% | 6 | 3 | 25% |
| Lycopene | ★★★★★32% | 4 | 0 | 17% |
| Oleic Acid | ★★★★★44% | 4 | 0 | 17% |
| Selenium | ★★★★★40% | 4 | 1 | 17% |
| Vitamin E | ★★★★★52% | 3 | 1 | 13% |
| Black Tea | ★★★★★40% | 2 | 0 | 8% |
| Maitake Mushroom | ★★★★★32% | 1 | 0 | 4% |