The cervix is the organ that attaches the uterus to the vagina. The cervix, because of its exposure to the external environment, has a very rapid turnover of cells and is subject to the development of precancerous changes. Cervical cancer does not happen overnight, but its course is highly influenced by the presence of instigating factors such as infection with high-risk types of the human papilloma virus, or HPV, lifestyle choices like smoking, and early detection and treatment. Alternative treatments such as the use of herbs and supplements may be beneficial in the earliest stages of cervical cancer progression. Such therapies should be discussed with your healthcare practitioner before use.
Coriolus Versicolor
Coriolus versicolor is a wild mushroom, commonly referred to as turkey tails. This mushroom has shown to be superior to other immune-boosting yeast and fungus-derivatives, namely maitake mushrooms and beta-glucans, notes a 2009 "Natural News" article. A review of coriolus in the April 2010 "Townsend Letters" journals stated that a 3 gram-a-day dose of this antiviral mushroom cleared the presence of the high risk cervical cancer strains of the human papilloma virus and reversed its related cancer cell changes in a period of only one year. The study was conducted in Portugal in 39 women over 35-years of age by physicians, Jose Silva Couto, M.D. and Pereira da Silva, M.D. While the study was extremely positive and resulted in minimal side effects, its small sample size encourages larger, double-blind placebo controlled studies for the future. All herbs and food derivatives should be discussed with your healthcare practitioner before use.
Indole-3-Carbinol
The link between the consumption of vegetables, especially the darker, leafier variety and cancer prevention is well prescribed. Many vegetables of this variety belong to the plant kingdom cruciferous. Cruciferous vegetables are apparently one of nature’s most potent sources of the cancer-fighting chemical, indole-3-carbinol or I3C. I3C is found in high concentrations in broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, according to a Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center monograph, but anti-cancer doses require the substance in concentrated form. The site reviews a small 2000 "Gynecological Oncology" journal article reporting a study that found that I3C given at doses of 200 or 400 milligrams a day over the course of 12 weeks reversed early stages of cervical cancer in 4 of 8 and 4 of 9 subjects, respectively. Placebo-dosed subjects had no regression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia changes. All supplements should be discussed with your physician before use.
Green Tea
Green tea has also been touted as a very potent anti-cancer remedy. The powerful antioxidant extract, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, EGCG, found in green tea may boast strong anti-tumor qualities against cervical cancer, according to an article published in 2003 in the "European Journal of Cancer Prevention." Cervical lesions found in women with mild to severe dysplastic changes were found to benefit from a 200 milligram capsule of EGCG per day by 69 percent versus 10 percent in the no-treatment group. The beneficial results included decreased or complete elimination of the HPV and/or decreased or complete elimination of abnormal cells and lesions, as determined by PAP smear or biopsy. The use of green tea as an anticancer supplement should be discussed with your healthcare practitioner.
References
- Natural News: “Coriolus Versicolor is Potent Mushroom for Fighting Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases”
- Townsend Letters: “Coriolus versicolor and Human Papillomavirus”
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Indole-3-Carbinol
- Gynecological Oncology: “Placebo-controlled trial of indole-3-carbinol in the treatment of CIN”
- Bastyr University - Bastyr Center for Natural Health: “Green Tea Protects Against Cervical Cancer”
