The role of lycopene in prevention of prostate cancer

Cardiovascular diseases and cancer have increased importantly in the Mexican population. In 2011, 86.3% of deaths were caused by malignant tumors in the population under 20 years. In the same year 8 out of 100 men aged 20 and older with cancer had prostate neoplasms. For every 100 deaths caused by malignant neoplasms in men, 17 were due to prostate cancer, 13 to lung and bronchus and 9 to stomach. Prostate cancer became the leading cause of death by cancer in our country. This has led to the innovation of new therapies for prevention such as increasing the consumption of vitamins, plant extracts, minerals and phytochemicals such as lycopene. The latter belongs to the family of carotenoids. Its antioxidant activity is highly concentrated in the prostate, so it has a strong preventive action of various diseases affecting the prostate and some types of cancer. This review focuses on the role of lycopene in prostate cancer prevention.