Lycopene Protects against Women's Cancers

Most women quite rightfully fear the occurrence of that tell-tale lump in the breast that could signal breast cancer. There are several other types of women-specific cancers too.

Breast cancer is the most commonly-occurring form of cancer in women, accounting for one-third of all cases of cancer in women. It accounts for 18% of cancer deaths in women.

Cervical cancer is the ninth most common cause of death of women in developing nations. Endometrial cancer is a real risk for postmenopausal women.

Carotenoids are a group of more than seven hundred naturally-occurring yellow, red and orange pigments found in most fruits and vegetables. The most well-known carotenoid is beta-carotene but there are numerous others. It's time women got to know the major carotenoid from tomatoes - lycopene. It has been found to help to prevent most womens' cancers - and other cancers too!

How Lycopene Prevents Women's Cancers

Researchers believe that lycopene counteracts a potent growth factor (insulin-like growth factor-1 or IGF-1) that stimulates the proliferation of cancer cells in the endometrium, breast and cervix.

Scientific Evidence

In one study women free of cancer donated blood to a serum bank from 1977 to 1987. During a 9½ year follow up period, 105 of these women developed breast cancer. High serum levels of lycopene were associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. Low lycopene levels were associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Other dietary survey studies have replicated this finding.

In the test tube, lycopene has been found to inhibit human breast cancer and endometrial cell growth more potently than other dietary carotenoids such as alpha-carotene and beta-carotene.

Dietary surveys indicate that women with high blood levels of lycopene have a reduced risk of cervical cancer. Women with the highest levels of lycopene were found to have a five-fold (80%) reduction in their risk of cervical cancer.

Side Benefits

Lycopene helps to prevent other (non-gender-specific) types of cancer too! Cancers that lycopene is known to inhibit include bladder cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, leukaemia, liver cancer, mouth cancer, pancreatic cancer, pharyngeal cancer, and stomach cancer.

The Take-Home Message