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