Can Lycopene Prevent Kidney Cancer?

Lycopene is an antioxidant in the carotene family that is, perhaps, best known for fighting prostate cancer. But new research suggests that it may be of value in preventing kidney cancer too. . . .

This study followed 96,196 postmenopausal women and kept track of the amount of lycopene they got from both their diet and from supplements.

During the study, 244 women developed kidney cancer. But the women who got the most lycopene had a significant 39% lower risk than the women who got the least, suggesting that lycopene may be of value in warding off kidney cancer.

Lycopene is available as a supplement. The main food source of lycopene in our diet is tomato, but it is also found in watermelon, pink grapefruit, apricot, papaya and guava.

Cancer 2015;121:580-88