Tomatoes to Treat Cancer of the Prostate

Diet and lifestyle choices are known to contribute 60 % of all cancers. The stratagem that you can take on to cut down your risk of developing the disease range from amplifying your everyday consumption of cancer fighting foods to having regular screenings for cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after lung cancer and the risk of developing the condition increases the age. The condition currently affects over 2 million Americans, with a prevalence rate higher in blacks compared to other races.

Prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer, with an average five year survival rate of 98% and 10 year survival rate of over 84%. Studies have shown that prostate cancer is dependent on testosterone and its progress can be halted by giving estrogen.

It should be remembered that most people don’t die because of prostate cancer, but die with it.

Cancer of the prostate usually triggers certain urinary symptoms, since, the enlargement of the gland, results in the compression of the urethra . Occasionally, the cancer may be asymptomatic, i.e. not producing any signs and symptoms.

• There may be a frequent and pressing need to pass urine, especially at night.
• Difficulty while urinating is commonly seen
• Hesitancy and incapability to empty the bladder
• Burning while passing urine
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Pain in the scrotum
• Painful ejaculation

Research and clinical trials have demonstrated that men who consumed plenty of lycopene (a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes), showed a 21 % decreased risk of developing cancer of the prostate gland, compared to those who consumed small amounts of the fruit. Men, who consumed 2 or more servings of tomato sauce every week, showed a 23 % less chance of developing prostate cancer, during the twenty two years of the study, as against those males who consumed less than one serving of tomato sauce per week.

Another cancer research institute study reveals that lycopene supplements when administered to people suffering from prostate cancer, showed a much slower growth of the tumor mass, reduction in the size of the tumor, and diminished PSA levels (Prostate Specific Antigen, a tumor marker for prostate cancer) by approximately 18 %.

Lycopene is a potent antioxidant and free radical fighter that wards off the occurrence of cancer, particularly, cancer of the breast, prostate, lung, colon and skin. Lycopene averts the occurrence of cancer by counterbalancing the damaging effects of oxygen free radicals before they can harm the DNA of the cells.

The quantity of lycopene in the tomatoes differs widely, depending on the type of tomato, and how ripe it is. The reddest varieties contain 50 milligrams of lycopene per kilogram of the fruit; whilst the yellow varieties have only 5 milligrams per kilogram. Processing liberates more lycopene. Also, consuming lycopene with a source of fat or when heated, enhances the absorption appreciably.

In case you witness any of these symptoms it is vital that you visit an expert and get tested for prostate specific antigen. Your chief objective ought to be cancer prevention, however, if the condition does develop, early diagnosis and prompt treatment play a pivotal role in the management of prostate cancer. Earl detection and effective prostate cancer treatment greatly increase your chance of full recovery.