After proving that lycopene – a naturally occurring compound found in tomatoes – can help prevent prostate cancer in men, researchers at Wayne State University School of Medicine are now turning their attention to the natural supplement’s effect on uterine fibroids in women.

Omer Kucuk, M.D., of Wayne State University School of Medicine and Karmanos Cancer Institute will be the lead investigator on a 12-month study lycopene’s effect on uterine fibroids. David Kmak, M.D., a gynecologist and researcher at Hutzel Women’s Hospital, will also be involved in the research.

By simply taking a lycopene supplement, women may be able to prevent fibroids and reduce the size of existing fibroids. “This research has the potential to be very important,” said Dr. Kucuk. “Our discovery that lycopene prevents prostate cancer was very important, but this could be an even bigger discovery.”

While 200,000 men in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, about 600,000 American women have hysterectomies each year. Most of those hysterectomies are the result of fibroids.

“You can’t get more natural than lycopene,” said Dr. Kmak. “It’s a natural ingredient in tomatoes. In the study, we’ll give women about as much lycopene as you may find in four or more pieces of pizza.”

Researchers in Turkey – in collaboration with Dr. Kucuk and other Wayne State University researchers – recently found that lycopene supplements can prevent and reduce the size of fibroid tumors in birds. Drs. Kucuk and Kmak will investigate whether similar results occur in women.

“This has the potential to be groundbreaking research that may give us a non-surgical treatment for uterine fibroids,” Dr. Kucuk said.

Women interested in participating in the study can call (313)-745 0499.

Email this page