Cervical Cancer Backgrounder
- Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers that affects women worldwide
- Cervical cancer risk, which includes HPV infection, can be reduced through nutrients
- Here are 7 foods and nutrients you can add to your diet to reduce your risk
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Like most cancers, even cervical cancer shows mild to no symptoms of the disease unless it progresses to a later stage. Therefore, it is very important to get tested regularly and follow all prevention methods in order to keep the disease at bay, especially if you fall into the high-risk category. The idea is really to prevent pre-cancer or dysplasia.
7 foods you should add to your diet for cervical cancer and HPV infection reduction
Mainly we talk about things to avoid in preventing cancer, like smoking and excess drinking. But adding critical nutrients is also very important to cancer prevention.
- Apples – Apples can certainly keep the doctor away, as the saying goes. They contain quercetin, vitamin A, and flavonoids, which are all cancer fighters.
- Cruciferous vegetables – Veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts contain sulforaphane among other powerful cancer fighters. These help in clearing the HPV virus.
- Cranberries – Commonly used to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, cranberries are also rich in flavonoids. Make sure you avoid juices that contain added sugar.
- Garlic and onion – These Allium genus veggies contain sulfur-containing bioactives which are cancer fighters.
- Turmeric – This anti-inflammatory anti-oxidant has been applied directly to the cervix as well as taken orally to prevent cancer and increase the clearance of HPV virus.
- Figs – This has mainly been studied in laboratories, but there are cancer-fighting components within. No risk and likely upside. Enjoy!
- Green Tea – This EGCG-rich drink is anti-oxidant and anti-cancer and has been shown to increase the clearance of cancer-causing HPV.
All of the above can help you reduce your risk of cervical cancer and help clear HPV. Keep in mind that the HPV virus is very common and present in up to 80% of sexually active college aged women. So, using the above preventatives in addition to safe sex, Pap-smear HPV screening and anti-HPV vaccination is a powerful combination for cervical cancer prevention.