NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES TO COMBAT CERVICAL CANCER

Cervical cancer is considered as one of the most common cancers affecting women. Approximately 570 000 cases of cervical cancer occurred in 2018.The estimated age-standardised incidence of cervical cancer was 13·1 per 100 000 women globally in 2018.

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects the uterus to the vagina. Usually, most cervical cancers begin in the cells lining the cervix, but the changes that lead to cancer usually occur very slowly. Cervical cancer is often asymptomatic. The most common symptoms are abnormal vaginal discharge or irregular bleeding and bleeding after intercourse.

Dietary patterns have a protective effect against the development of a variety of cancers, particularly those of the epithelial origin. Carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate may reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Also, the increased intake of fruits and vegetables is found to be protective against the incidence of cervical cancer.

Thus, a diet full of fruits and vegetables is good for every individual, but eating right can actually help a woman reduce the chances of getting cervical cancer. So, it’s time to start incorporating some of the “super nutritional tips” into the daily diet.

Food choices :

• Making good food choices during treatment can help one feel better, tolerate side effects, lower the chances of infection, and even heal faster. One important way to do this is to eat a variety of foods so as to get the nutrients one needs, such as :
• Antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E)
• Carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains)
• Healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats)
• Proteins (fish, poultry, lean red meat, eggs, low-fat dairy products)
• Vitamins and minerals (Plant-based foods are a good source of vitamins and minerals.)
• Water

Choose foods with low Glycemic index: Foods with low glycemic index are said to be cancer preventing foods. Such foods are digested slowly by the body and thus encourage stable blood sugar level. A diet rich in high GI foods is associated with several types of cancer including cervical cancer. These high GI foods can increase the production of insulin and insulin like growth factor. Which is associated with the growth, spreading, progression and proliferation of tumour. Include foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds in your diet regularly.

Go for organic fruits and vegetables. Organic fruits and vegetables are expensive, but they are the best options for cancer prevention, not only because they’re grown without pesticides and other agricultural chemicals but because plants grown outdoors organically need to protect themselves from other plants, predators (insects, birds and animals) and the sun.

Watch Your Weight: Women who are obese, have high blood pressure and high triglycerides are at a greater risk of cervical cancer. Triglycerides are the most common form of fat circulating around the body and are the storage form of excess calories. So, losing weight, even a small amount, can have big health benefits.

Nix the Fad Diets: Fad diets are bad for your health. Such as “the cabbage soup diet” or “the grapefruit diet” or any diet that drastically limits what one can eat.  So many people follow fad diets for just a few days at a time. However, repeating the diet extends the amount of time that deprives the cells of some of the most basic nutrients. To keep the cervix healthy, these cells require a variety of foods, with a focus on antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables

Exercise: Exercises can help one stay strong, improve the appetite and energy, and help one feel less stressed or depressed. Even adding 30 minutes of walking to the day can make a big difference in how one feels thereby keeping the body healthy from such tumours.

Over to you
Cervical cancer can be life-threatening if it goes undetected or untreated. Hence, following a healthy lifestyle can help one to live longer.