Cervical cancer is a very common type of cancer that forms in the organ that connects the vagina to the uterus, called the cervix. Various strains of HPV, or the human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease, cause most cases of cervical cancer. That's why it is very important to get regular Pap smears to help catch cervical cancer. However, there are several things you can change about your diet that will help you prevent cervical cancer. By eating healthy, adding certain vitamins to you diet and cutting out bad habits, you can help reduce your chances of getting cervical cancer.
Step 1
Don't smoke. Women who smoke have a much higher risk for cervical cancer. That's because the carcinogens in cigarette smoke are concentrated in cervical mucus. There are about 10 to 15 times more carcinogens in your cervix than your blood when you smoke.
Step 2
Take folic acid. A study done by the University of Alabama at Birmingham found women who did not eat enough folic acid in their diet were more likely to get cervical cancer than women who did. Researchers say cells deficient in folic acid were more susceptible to carcinogens than those who had a rich supply in folic acid. You can find folic acid in beans, lentils, spinach and asparagus. Doctors recommend about 400mcg of folic acid per day.
Step 3
Drink green tea. Green tea contains antioxidants that prevent cancer cells from dividing. According to a report in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, the antioxidants in green tea may prevent cervical cancer. According to another study by the National Cancer Institute at the University of Arizona, green tea may stop cervical cancer from forming in people who have HPV, or the human papillomavirus. Doctors recommended taking 240 mg three times a day.
Step 4
Get lots of Vitamin C. A study at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City took blood samples from 43 women with cervical cancer, and 43 women without. Doctors found the less Vitamin C women had in their bodies, the higher the risk for cervical cancer. Those doctors recommend getting at least 30mg of vitamin C per day from fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, strawberries, green peppers and brussels sprouts.
Step 5
Eat avocados, which help balance your hormones. They are rich in glutathione, which is a powerful antioxidant that attacks free radicals in the body. The glutathione blocks you from absorbing certain bad fats that help cancer grow.
Most doctors recommend adding a few slices of avocado to your salad, sandwich or as a snack several times a week.
Tips and Warnings
- Remember to get a Pap smear every year. Changing your diet will help prevent your chances of getting cervical cancer, but there are no guarantees. A Pap smear will detect cervical cancer and if you do get it, help your doctor catch the cancer early.
