More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, the National Cancer Institute reports. Abstinence, HPV vaccine use and tobacco avoidance can reduce your cervical cancer risk. Additionally, eating a cancer-fighting diet rich in fresh produce and healthy fats may further reduce your risk. If you think you may have cervical cancer, talk to your doctor to discuss treatment options. Also consider eating foods for fighting cervical cancer to your healthy diet.
Cruciferous Vegetables
A diet that contains cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage can reduce cervical cancer risk, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. This class of vegetables contain a unique compound known as indole-3-carbinol. Indole-3-carbinol is a naturally occurring sulfur compound that pushes the "off" button on precancerous cells. Liang Jin of Long Island Jewish Medical Center tested the effects of Indole-3-carbinol in an animal model of cervical cancer. In research published in the August 1999 issue of "Cancer Research," Jin found that rats with an elevated cervical cancer risk fed a diet rich in indole-3-carbinol were less likely to develop cancer of the cervix than those that ate a normal diet. While similar research in humans has not been done, many studies have linked cruciferous vegetables intake with a lower cancer risk, reports the USDA.
Green Tea
Green tea is an antioxidant-rich beverage with cancer fighting properties. WS Ahn of Korea's Inha University found that green tea inhibits the growth of human cervical cancer cells. In a study published in the October 2003 issue of the "European Journal of Cancer Prevention," Inha gave green tea extract to a group of cervical cancer patients. More than half of those that supplemented had smaller cervical cancer tumors than they had before taking the supplements.
Mangoes
Mangoes and other vitamin C rich foods may reduce cervical cancer risk, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. D Mackerras of the University of Sydney gave vitamin C supplements to women with precancerous cervical cells. In research published in the March 1999 issue of the "British Journal of Cancer," Mackerras found that vitamin C supplements slowed the progression of precancerous cells into mature cancer cells. Vitamin C helps prevent the DNA damage that often precedes cervical cancer.
References
- "European Journal of Cancer Prevention": Protective effects of green tea extracts (polyphenon E and EGCG) on human cervical lesions
- National Cancer Institute: Cervical Cancer
- UMMC: Cervical dysplasia
- "Cancer Research": Indole-3-Carbinol Prevents Cervical Cancer in Human Papilloma Virus Type 16 (HPV16) Transgenic Mice 1
- "Integrative Cancer Therapy": Cruciferous Vegetables: Cancer Protective Mechanisms of Glucosinolate Hydrolysis Products and Selenium
- "British Journal of Cancer": Randomized double-blind trial of beta-carotene and vitamin C in women with minor cervical abnormalities
