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