If you are a sexually active woman, you may already have human papillomavirus, or HPV, the sexually-transmitted virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer. While the vast majority of women with HPV will never develop cancer, the National Cancer Institute says that about half a million women worldwide are diagnosed with the disease each year. Cervical cancer, a slow-growing cancer that starts in the lower portion of the uterus known as the cervix, can often be prevented. While abstaining from sexual contact and cigarette smoking are the best ways to prevent cervical cancer, eating a healthy diet can also play a part.
Foods with Vitamin A
The A.P. John Cancer Institute says consuming vitamin A may help prevent cervical cancer. Vitamin A may work to stop the changes in cells that lead to cancer. Foods rich in vitamin A include orange and yellow fruits such as carrots, squash and cantaloupes and eggs, liver, tuna and fortified dairy products. With 34317.40 IU of vitamin A per cup, carrots contain more than 600 percent of your recommended daily value.
Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Eat foods rich in antioxidants to prevent cervical cancer, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Antioxidants are substances in our food that help combat the free radicals that cause cancer to grow and may prove useful in preventing the abnormal growth of cells on the cervix that lead to cancer. Foods rich in antioxidants include blueberries, squash, bell peppers, cherries, salmon and other fatty fish.
Foods With Polyphenols and Flavinoids
Polyphenols, like the kind found in green tea, are beneficial in inhibiting cancer growth and preventing cervical cancer. Foods rich in polyphenols include olive oil, red wine, chocolate, walnuts, peanuts, pomegranate and berries. Flavinoids are a class of polyphenols that also have cancer-fighting capabilities. Good sources of dietary flavinoids include red grapes, black raspberries, blackberries, grapefruit, tomatoes, red beans and green peppers.
Foods With Dietary Folate
Consuming foods rich in the B-vitamin folate my lower your levels of homocysteine, a substance that may increase the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix. Foods rich in folate include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, bok choy, avocados and collard greens. With 263 mcg of folate per cup, asparagus is a good way to increase your folate consumption.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer: Questions and Answers
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cervical Dysplasia
- A.P. John Institute for Cancer Research: Cervical Cancer
- Bastyr Center for Natural Health: Green Tea Protects Against Cervical Cancer
- The Cancer Cure Foundation: Cancer Fighting Foods/Spice
- "Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal"; Reader's Digest; 1997
