You may have heard that tomatoes (and lycopene in particular) can reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer. But, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says otherwise. After reviewing the scientific evidence available regarding the ability of tomatoes and lycopene to reduce the risk of several types of cancer, the FDA determined that they may help guard against some cancers, but not colorectal.
Have you ever noticed the disclaimer on dietary supplement bottles and television ads? "These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease." Basically, that's what companies say to cover themselves when they want to market a product as healthy but don't want to be slammed by the FDA for making false medical claims. For example, if the label for a lycopene supplement said "Lycopene has been clinically proven to prevent cancer," the FDA would probably contact the manufacturer and let them know their labeling was inappropriate.
But, every once in a while, the FDA will review the scientific evidence available and try to figure out an acceptable general statement that manufacturers can add to labels. They did so with lycopene and tomatoes since several studies have indicated they may reduce the risk of nine types of cancer: colorectal, lung, breast, cervical, uterine, prostate, ovarian, stomach, and pancreatic.
Tomatoes and Cancer Prevention
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute published a review of the FDA's findings. The agency found no scientific evidence that tomatoes reduced the risk of lung, colorectal, breast, cervical, or uterine cancer. However, it found "limited evidence" that tomato consumption reduced the risk of prostate, ovarian, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. So, the FDA decided to allow manufacturers to profess a very limited association between tomatoes and those four types of cancer.
For example, if a company wants to market its tomato-based product as a way to prevent prostate cancer, the FDA said the company is permitted to say the following: "Very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that eating one-half to one cup of tomatoes and/or tomato sauce a week may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. FDA concludes that there is little scientific evidence supporting this claim."
Lycopene and Cancer Prevention
The FDA determined that there is no credible evidence that lycopene, either in food or in the form of lycopene supplements, reduced the risk of any of the nine cancers.
How Can You Use this Research?
Well, now we know the FDA doesn't believe tomatoes or lycopene reduce colon cancer risk, but there are still lots of other ways to prevent colon cancer by making lifestyle adjustments. I do see it as good news that tomatoes may help prevent cancer of the prostate, ovaries, stomach, and pancreas. And it doesn't seem to take much; I eat at least half a cup of pasta sauce at one sitting. If you're interested in learning ways to prevent the nine types of cancer included in the FDA's review, you might find the following articles helpful:
- Top 10 Colon Cancer Prevention Tips
- Six Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Lung Disease
- Top 10 Strategies to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
- Six Ways to Prevent Cervical Cancer
- Causes and Risk Factors for Uterine Cancer
- Top 10 Ways to Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk
- Ovarian Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
- Stomach Cancer Prevention
- Can Pancreatic Cancer be Prevented?
- Eating Pizza Slices Colon Cancer Risk?
- Beliefs About Lifestyle Changes and Cancer Prevention
- Certain Flavonoids Decrease Colorectal Cancer Risk
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