Jennifer Matthews: Lunch today for Bill Lofgren is spaghetti and meatballs.
For bill it's not about carbs, but lycopene -- an antioxidant that could lower the risk of prostate cancer.
Bill Lofgren: I can't help but believe that a lot of cancer that we suffer got there because, perhaps, of improper eating, improper diets.
Jennifer Matthews: Bill was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. He had surgery to remove his prostate, but not before helping scientists study lycopene's effect on cancer cells.
While waiting six weeks before surgery, Bill took lycopene pills. Researchers are now comparing his cancer cells before lycopene and after.
Dr. Nagi Kumar: If we can see a reduction in the cell growth of prostate cancer in 6 weeks, this has a great promise in prevention.
Jennifer Matthews: While results from this study are pending, another study showed men who ate tomato sauce at least twice a week were 20 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer.
While a lycopene supplement is used for the study, Doctor Kumar recommends eating lycopene-rich foods.
Dr. Nagi Kumar: Large population based studies have shown that what they are eating is what is lowering their risk of these cancers and not that they are taking supplements.
Jennifer Matthews: You'll find the most lycopene in processed tomato products including paste, sauces and juice.
Since Bill is married to an Italian woman, he says eating lycopene is a doctor's order that's easy to follow. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services