Cervical Cancer & Food

February 20, 2016

In January we celebrated Cervical Cancer Awareness month. Since then, I have received emails about cervical cancer and diet. While there is no one food that can prevent or cure any type of cancer, there is tons of research and data available that proves eating a healthy diet may reduce your risk for cancer, including cervical cancer!

“Lots of research points to great benefits associated with diet and cancer. Eating mostly a plant-based diet — one that is made up primarily of fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains — is the best,” says Susan Moores, RD, an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman.

So, where is the link between healthy food and diet? Flavonoids– yes, Flavonoids. These are chemical compounds in fruits and vegetables that are thought to be a leading source protection against cancer.

Flavonoid rich foods include:

  • Apples
  • Asparagus
  • Black beans
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cranberries
  • Garlic
  • Lettuce
  • Lima beans
  • Onions
  • Soy
  • Spinach

And while the above foods are great for many reasons, when you look at the studies and the research, folate acts as an additional cancer protectant. Studies suggest that foods rich in folate (a water-soluble B vitamin) may reduce the risk of cervical cancer in people with HPV.

Foods rich in folate include:

  • Avocados
  • Chickpeas
  • Fortified cereals and breads **Be careful with this option as most processed cereals are mostly sugar and end up doing more harm than good.
  • Lentils
  • Orange juice
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Strawberries

Relying on a healthy diet does help. I tell my clients all the time to eat clean and stay away from processed foods and sugar. Processed foods and sugar adds more complications into the mix. Eating healthy hasn’t ever harmed a person, so why not fill your body with foods that benefit it?

If you do have cervical cancer concerns, and judging by my email many of you do, think about your lifestyle while also considering diet choices. A healthy lifestyle may help reduce your chances of developing cervical cancer. This means getting annual Pap smears to screen for early cell changes, getting vaccinated against HPV, not smoking, and being monogamous.

Still have questions? Let’s chat! Click here to contact me.

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