Cervical Cancer Diet
“Every bite counts in the fight against cervical cancer.”
Cervical cancer is considered a bigshot for women all over the world. Even Though various options can treat cervical cancer, the side effects caused by the treatment make it more vulnerable to use. Getting vaccinated at the right time and regular screening can prevent the risk of cervical cancer in women. Other than this, simple steps like following a proper diet can also be effective in preventing cervical cancer. Today, we will explore more about the top foods that play a crucial role in managing cervical cancer and its risks. Continue to read for more information.
Know About Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer refers to the abnormal growth of the cells in the cervix, which is a long, narrow end of the uterus that connects the uterus and the vagina. Due to the lack of prominent signs, cervical cancer is often hard to treat and diagnosed in its early stage, which leads to complications and increased risk of the cancer in the patients. This can be managed and prevented by simple diet strategies that are effective in preventing cervical cancer.
Empowering Health: Key Strategies To Prevent Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer can be prevented in many ways. Some of the preventive measures for cervical cancer are given below:
- Screening methods: Cervical cancer can be prevented by planning a regular screening procedure like an HPV test and PAP smear.
- HPV vaccine: The major cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus; getting an HPV vaccine can prevent cervical cancer by immunizing our body against the virus.
- Practice safe sex: Practising safe sex, like following contraceptive methods, can be helpful in preventing the spread of HPV through sexual transmission. Therefore, we can avoid the risk of cervical cancer.
- Quit smoking: Smoking makes the immune system weak, which paves the way for HPV infection and increases the risk of cervical cancer.
- Healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet can aid in improving the immune function and antioxidants in our body, which helps to prevent HPV infection and reduce the free radicals that cause cervical cancer.
Nutritional Armor: Top 5 Foods For Cervical Cancer
Some of the foods that help to prevent and manage cervical cancer are given below:
1. Papaya (Carica papaya L.): Papaya is a tropical fruit rich in antioxidants, which are involved in the reduction of oxidative stress, which induces cervical cancer. The increased consumption of papaya will decrease the risk of LSIL (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) and HSIL (High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) abnormality in the cervix.
2. Tomato: Lycopene is a pigment that is present in tomatoes and is responsible for their red color. The carotenoids in the tomato in the form of lycopene are involved in inhibiting HPV infection and the development of CIN 3 (Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia), which gradually develops into cervical cancer.
3. Tricolour foods: Eating a diet coded with red, yellow, and green helps reduce oxidative stress and improves the cell repair mechanism. The antioxidants present in the vegetables (carrots, spinach, red pepper) and fruits (mango, avocado) will help to reduce the oxidative stress that induces cervical cancer.
4. Cruciferous Vegetables: Eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can help to reduce the risk of hormone-based cancers such as breast as well as cervical cancer. The isothiocyanates and indoles present in the vegetables help to reduce the estrogen level, which contributes to the development of cervical cancer.
5. Folate feasts: Folate also known as vitamin-B9, rich in dark green vegetables, beans, and peanuts that can help reduce the risk of CIN and cervical cancer associated with folate deficiency.
Smart Choices For Cervical Health: Foods To Limit Or Avoid
There are certain foods that need to be avoided for cancer and increase the risk of Cervical cancer are given below:
- Processed meat: It is a type meat that has gone through several processes (salting, curing, fermentation, smoking) to preserve the meat for long days. This processed meat contains carcinogenic and mutagenic agents which are involved in the formation of cervical cancer.
- Alcohol: Heavy consumption of alcohol can contribute to the development of certain cancers in individuals. Drinking alcohol may lead to the accumulation of aldehydes in the body and can cause DNA damage. This leads to the development of cancer in the cervix.
- Ultra-processed food: Eating ultra-processed foods, like junk foods, can increase the risk of cancer in individuals. This processed food has gone through a severe process to be ready-to-eat or easy to prepare.
Endnotes!
The silence in the early stage makes cervical cancer more difficult to diagnose and treat, which always leads to complications and the spread of the disease in the cervix. This makes the treatment options for cervical cancer more complex and riskier. Following prevention measures and proper diet plays a crucial role in protecting the cervical health of individuals. Moreover, eating a healthy diet is an easier step when comparing the side effects caused by cervical cancer treatment. So, Let’s keep this in mind and protect our health with every bite of a cervical cancer diet.
“It’s about focusing on the fight, not the fright”
