CLEVELAND -- Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in American men; 200,000 are diagnosed with it every year and 31,000 die.

Regular screenings help to save lives, but many doctors believe that more prevention is needed.

A nationwide study is under way to prevent prostate cancer, and NewsChannel5 reported that many Clevelanders are involved.

Dan Feeney is one of 32,400 men in a nationwide study looking for a way to prevent prostate cancer.

"It seemed like a very easy thing to do," he said. "There is nothing else I can really do to help it."

Feeney lives a healthy lifestyle. He eats right and exercises regularly.

"I met my wife (in-line skating) five years ago," he said.

As part of the study, he is taking an additional step to stay healthy, by taking selenium and vitamin E.

"This is the largest, best-designed trial looking at nutrient supplements -- not pharmaceuticals, but nutrient supplement that are found in the diet -- to prevent the most common cancer in the United States," said Dr. Eric Klein of the Cleveland Clinic.

Klein, who is heading the select trial, said that patients are given either vitamin E, selenium, both, or placebos. The trial is based on previous studies with different goals. One was for skin cancer.

"So we have to do the right kind of study with the right kind of scientific controls before we can conclude that these two agents are useful in preventing cancer," he said.

Feeney hopes to roll through the study without any problems.

"(But I will) make sure that I get regular checkups, for one thing, just for my own self," he said.

The study will follow patients for a period of seven to 12 years.

To participate in the study or learn more about it, call (800) 4-CANCER.