Ovarian cancer occurs when malignant cancer cells begin to grow and spread on or within the ovaries. This type of cancer usually produces little or no symptoms in its early stages and is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. Women who have a strong family history or previous medical history of ovarian cancer may consider eating a nutritious diet that may help to prevent this type of cancer. If you are being treated for ovarian cancer, you should consult a nutritionist for diet advice specific to your treatment and stage of cancer.
Tea
Tea contains flavonoids, which act as antioxidants in the body. According to an article featured on "The Early Show" website by medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay, researchers in Sweden looked at tea consumption and ovarian cancer in more than 60,000 women over 15 years and discovered that women who drank two or more cups of tea a day had a 46 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer than those who didn't drink tea.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes provide good nutrition and may decrease the risk of ovarian cancer. Tomatoes contain the powerful phytochemical lycopene. The American Cancer Society reports that a study showed that women who ate two or more one-half cup servings of tomato sauce per week had a 40 percent decrease in risk for ovarian cancer, compared to women who reported eating tomato sauce less than once a month. Although raw tomatoes provide health benefits, it is believed that the heating of the tomato and addition of oil brings out their lycopene.
Dark-Green Leafy Vegetables
Dark-green leafy vegetables may help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Examples include spinach, kale and broccoli. These vegetables contain flavonoids, which have been identified as cancer-protective. They can be steamed or sauteed with a monounsaturated oil such as olive or canola.
Raw Carrots
According to the American Cancer Society, raw carrots contain beta-carotene and carotenoids, which, in high levels, can help induce the death of cancer cells and prevent damage to the body's DNA, which can lead to the development of cancer.
