Antioxidants and Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the biggest health problems faced by men today. Cancer of the prostate is the second commonest cancer in men in Britain and the United States and is on the increase in younger men. It accounts for 17 percent of all cancers in man and cause 19 deaths per 100,000 people. Previously it was believed that eating lycopene-rich tomatoes helps to keep the disease away. But a recently conducted study in New York suggests that eating lycopene rich food offers no protection against prostrate cancer, contrary to the findings of some past studies.

Dr. Ulrike Peters of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle revealed the study findings as a written statement in which he called the results as �disappointing� since lycopene might have offered a simple and inexpensive way to lower prostate cancer risk for men concerned about this common disease. Unfortunately, this easy answer just does not work.

Anti oxidants were believed to help men in their fight against cancer and heart disease by neutralizing harmful molecules known as oxygen free radicals. But the numerous studies conducted till date on the role of lycopene in prostrate cancer have not been able to provide a believable result. Some suggest a protective effect, while others yield contradictory or inconclusive results.

The study was conducted on 28,243 men between the ages of 55 and 74 with no history of prostate cancer. All of them were enrolled in Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. The blood of all these men were tested and the results taken. During the test period they also had to complete a questionnaire related to their health, diet and lifestyle. Data from the blood test and questionnaire were taken for further analysis.

During the eight years that followed, 692 men developed prostate cancer and who were matched to 844 other men who were free of cancer. But the comparative study failed to show any notable difference in the blood lycopene levels between the two groups that is those who developed prostate cancer and those who did not.

"Our results do not offer support for the benefits of lycopene against prostate cancer," said Dr. Peters after the results came in.

They published the results in a recent issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention which is one of the largest evaluator of the influence of lycopene and other antioxidants on prostate cancer.

Though the results failed to show any strong connection between lycopene and prostate cancer, unexpectedly it showed the relation between prostate cancer and the intake of an antioxidant called beta carotene. Beta carotene is found in vegetables and it is a common dietary supplement. Although this observation "may be due to chance," Peters added, "beta carotene is already known to increase the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease in smokers."

Dr. Peter also added that "While it would be counter-productive to advise people against eating carrots and leafy vegetables, I would say to be cautious about taking beta carotene supplements, particularly at high doses, and consult a physician,"