Prostate cancer affects the gland that plays a role in the production of semen, and according to the U.K. National Health Service's website, NHS Choices, it is the most common form of cancer in men. However, its progression is often slow, and it can usually be treated successfully if caught in the early stages. If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, you might need surgery to remove cancerous tissue or you may require hormone therapy or radiotherapy. An antioxidant called lycopene might play a role in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer, although evidence to prove it is effective is limited.
Properties and Sources
Lycopene is a natural antioxidant that might play a role in the treatment of a number of diseases, including asthma, macular degeneration and cardiovascular disease. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, it might also play a role in the treatment and prevention of various types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Lycopene is found in tomatoes, guava, rose hips and watermelon. It is also available as a dietary supplement. The amount you need to take might vary according to your age and general health. Ask your doctor how much you should take and how best to incorporate it into your treatment plan.
Effectiveness
The results of an animal study published in the October 2010 issue of the journal "Prostate" show that a lycopene-enriched diet might lower the risk of prostate cancer. Another study published in the October 2007 issue of the "International Journal of Cancer" found that men diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer who consumed tomato products were less likely to go on to develop an advanced form of the disease than those who did not consume tomato products. However, an analysis of clinical data published in the December 2008 issue of the "Journal of Urology" concludes that evidence to show that lycopene can slow prostate cancer progression is limited.
Safety Considerations
RxList notes that whether or not lycopene supplements are safe is unclear, but adds that the quantities found in foods are likely safe. RxList also cautions that you should not take a lycopene supplement to treat prostate cancer without first seeking medical advice.
Other Potentially Helpful Supplements
A number of other dietary supplements might aid the treatment of prostate cancer, including vitamin E and green tea. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, Vitamin E might inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells, while the findings of a study published in 2008 in "Nutrition and Cancer" suggest that green tea compounds might slow the growth of prostate tumors. Always get medical advice before taking any supplements.
References
- NHS Choices: Prostate Cancer
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Lycopene
- PubMed: Chemoprevention of Prostate Cancer with Lycopene in the TRAMP Model
- PubMed: Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer Incidence and Progression in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study
- PubMed: Diet and Dietary Supplement Intervention Trials for the Prevention of Prostate Cancer Recurrence: A Review of the Randomized Controlled Trial Evidence
- RxList: Lycopene
