Sengupta A, Das S Department of Cancer Chemoprevention, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Calcutta, India. Among the many carotenoids present in nature, lycopene has been of special interest and has received attention in recent times due to its suggestive association in reducing risk for cancer at many sites including breast, prostate and pancreas. Several studies have attempted to determine the bioactive levels of this carotenoid in human tissues and the influence of plant food and cancer on carotenoid levels. Experimental studies have also implicated the protective role of lycopene during carcinogenesis. These observations should justify further exploration and evaluation of the biological function of lycopene alone or in combination with other chemical compounds present in tomato fruit for their use in cancer prevention.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly occurring tumor in U.S. men.
Differences in the incidence of this disease among ethnic populations are not due solely to genetic differences. Many efforts have been devoted to studying associations between nutrition and prostate cancer. The strongest association appears to be related to total fat intake and increased risk of this malignancy. Evidence also exists to suggest a role for certain micronutrients, such as zinc, selenium, vitamin E, lycopene, phytoestrogens, and phytosterols, although the role of nutrition and micronutrients in protection against prostate cancer is less convincing. Further research is necessary.