Prostate cancer and lycopene

No, but I've heard that *cooked* tomatoes release the lycopene more effectively.

I have not seen any tangible results because I’m on ADT. But I’ve read about the benefits multiple times. I simmer tomatoes in olive oil for 25 or 30 minutes and then put them in my smoothies each day.

Not I. Have been doing tomato sauce, tomato paste, and raw tomatoes in a rice-bean dish for two years and haven't seen any way that it's positively impacting the condition.

I'm of the opinion it is not a "cancer impacting" natural compound as much as it is a "cancer preventive" agent.

Also watermelon has lycopene in it. In fact more than from tomatoes.
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/the-wonders-of-watermelon

@thanks4sharing It’s just another wishful thinking magic bullet that’s been touted for years. Yes, lycopene is great, but no one knows how much you really need to have an actual effect.
I mean, think about it, you’re trying to alter your genes - your DNA- with diet. And yes, you ‘ll hear from the epigenetic adherents that it can be done…🤔
I think CRISPR technology holds a lot more promise than internet folklore. JMO!
Phil

True there is no magic bullet for prostate cancer. Those of us who have it know this.

There is a review of medical research that shows that in 7 of 10 studies there is a positive effect of lycopene. So my choice is to add it to my diet given there is no harm and possible benefit.

Here's the mega analysis: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9741066/

When my late August 2025 MRI report said "highly likely clinically significant cancer", and "seminal vesicle invasion seen", I looked up the UCSF diet guidelines for patients with prostate cancer and changed my diet quite a bit. Although I had been exercising fairly regularly, I learned what eccentric exercise was and incorporated what I understood into a more vigorous exercise program that I followed religiously, every day, as well. It happened that my steadily rising PSA immediately levelled off somewhat. I have no idea what it means. See the attached graph.

Exercise has been proven effective in affecting cancer outcomes - there was a plenary presentation at this year's ASCO conference featuring what exercise enthusiasts and oncologists were calling the "first" study to prove this.

I follow the UCSF diet guidelines because they claim they are science based. They like lycopene. I bought a case of tomato sauce the other day....

I do not have an answer about Lycopene as an isolated supplement but I know for a fact that supplements and diet changes and exercise did effect my husband's PSA trend very effectively but unfortunately late since we implemented all of that when he was already diagnosed with aggressive cancer.

We did not know much about those since my husband's original urologist was completely incompetent in so many ways. After we found a new surgeon my husband had to wait for almost 5 mons to have RP and during that time I decided to put him on bunch of supplements (inclooding a lycopene extract ) and excluded read meat, refined sugars and milk products from his diet. He also started exercising every day.

His PSA in January was about 7.6 and in just 2 mos went down to 5.2 !!!
It stayed this level (it was I think 5.6 in August just before surgery). So - can supplements , diet and exercise effect PSA level - you bet they can ! At least that was our experience : )

He had RP in august and we are still adhering to this healthy lifestyle to try to prevent BCR - maybe it will help, maybe not, but it is a healthy lifestyle so there is no objective reason of not trying it : ))).

Wishing you the best of luck !

@peterj116

Yes, that is true : ) !
For many vitamins and antioxidants the opposite is true but for lycopene cooking causes better absorption and availability. Cooking tomatoes makes lycopene 100% (literary ) more available. Cooking tomatoes is olive oil makes it even more available for absorption.

@dmccarthy104

True but watermelon has VERY high glycemic index and is highly caloric food with little fiber, so tomatoes are healthier choice for anybody that is looking for low carb items. If you are young, slim and healthy - enjoy it by all means :))) !!!