β-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, which is important for cellular differentiation and maintaining healthy epithelial tissues, including those in the prostate.
Lycopene is more effective than beta-carotene at scavenging free radicals, helping protect prostate cells from DNA damage and oxidative stress.
Lycopene may slow or prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells by modulating cell signaling pathways, promoting apoptosis (programmed celldeath), and inhibiting angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors).