| Men with prostate cancer who take | | | | decreased in both groups, indicating a |
| supplemental lycopene in addition to | | | | reduction in prostate cancer activity. |
| surgical removal of the testicles may | | | | However, PSA levels in those receiving |
| experience less active disease, less | | | | lycopene were more than 65% lower than |
| bone pain, and live longer than those | | | | in those who did not receive lycopene. |
| who only have surgical removal of the | | | | After two years, PSA levels in the |
| testicles, according to a new study in | | | | lycopene treatment group had fallen into |
| British Journal of Urology International | | | | the normal range, while those who only |
| (2003;92:375-8). This is exciting news | | | | underwent surgery still had PSA levels |
| for millions of men who have to undergo | | | | more than twice the upper limit of |
| aggressive treatment for advanced | | | | normal. Urinary symptoms significantly |
| prostate cancer. | | | | improved in both groups, but better |
| Prostate cancer is the most common | | | | improvement was again observed in the |
| cancer found in men over the age of 50 | | | | lycopene group. The lycopene group also |
| years, with more than 200,000 new cases | | | | experienced less bone pain. |
| each year in the United States. The | | | | The survival rates after two years in |
| cause of prostate cancer, like many | | | | the lycopene-plus-surgery group and |
| other cancers, is unknown; however, some | | | | surgery-only groups were 87% and 78%, |
| studies suggest alterations in | | | | respectively, a statistically |
| testosterone metabolism may play a role | | | | significant difference. No adverse side |
| in its development. Prostate cancer is | | | | effects were observed in men taking |
| generally slow growing and may not | | | | lycopene.LycopeneLycopene is one of a |
| cause any symptoms until late in the | | | | group of compounds called carotenoids. |
| disease. Symptoms may include frequent | | | | It is found in high amounts in tomatoes. |
| or painful urination, dribbling after | | | | The findings of this study corroborate |
| urination, sensation of incomplete | | | | the findings of other similar studies |
| emptying of the bladder, or blood in the | | | | examining the effectiveness of lycopene |
| urine. The symptoms of prostate cancer | | | | in the treatment of prostate cancer. |
| are similar to those of a non-cancerous | | | | However, the amount used in the current |
| condition called benign prostatic | | | | study (4 mg per day) was substantially |
| hyperplasia (BPH), so men experiencing | | | | less than the amounts used in other |
| these symptoms should consult their | | | | studies (30 mg per day). It may also |
| physician for an accurate diagnosis. | | | | help stimulate the immune system and has |
| In the new study, 54 men with advanced | | | | been shown to cause cancer cells to die |
| prostate cancer were randomly assigned | | | | on their own. Although more research is |
| to have surgical removal of the | | | | needed to clarify what amount of |
| testicles (orchidectomy) alone or | | | | lycopene is most effective, men with |
| orchidectomy plus oral supplementation | | | | prostate cancer may benefit from taking |
| with 4 mg of lycopene a day. | | | | daily lycopene supplements. Eating one |
| Measurements of PSA (a blood marker of | | | | moderately sized tomato a day also |
| prostate cancer activity), bone scans, | | | | provides approximately 4 mg of lycopene. |
| and urinary flow were taken initially | | | | Other tomato products, such as an |
| and every three months for two years. | | | | 8-ounce portion of tomato juice or |
| Men receiving lycopene started on the | | | | tomato paste may provide up to 25 mg of |
| day of their surgery. | | | | lycopene. |
| After six months, PSA had significantly | | | | |