12 Good Foods to Eat to Prevent Cervical Cancer

The nutrients found in food can help optimization of the immune system. When immunity increases, it can help the body fight disease, one of which is cancer. So, what are the cervical cancer prevention foods that you can consume? Check out the full list below.

List of Foods to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a condition in which there is abnormal cell growth in the cervical area. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by infection human papillomavirus (HPVs).

Antioxidants, carotenoids, flavonoids, and folate are believed to help the body fight HPV infection and prevent HPV from turning cells in the cervix into cancer cells. All of these compounds can be found in foods that are commonly consumed daily.

Here are some foods that can help reduce the risk of cervical cancer, including:

1. Green Vegetables

Green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, kale, mustard greens, pakcoy, and kailan are one of the foods that are rich in nutrients. These vegetables contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals which can reduce the risk of various cancers, including cervical cancer.

Phytochemical compounds present in green vegetables are carotenoid groups, namely beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. All of these compounds act as antioxidants that can protect the body from the risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.

2. Tomatoes

Apart from its fresh taste, it turns out that tomatoes also have the benefit of preventing and reducing the risk of cervical cancer cell growth.

The content of lycopene in tomatoes is actually a pigment that gives it a red color. However, this compound also has antioxidant properties that can boost the immune system and protect cells from damage.

A laboratory study found that lycopene was shown to stop the growth of cancer cells.

3. Strawberries

Strawberry is a fruit that is known to have a sour taste. This fruit turns out to contain compounds that can act as antioxidants, such as vitamin C, ellagic acid, tannins, and anthocyanins.

This content can protect cells from damage and reduce the risk of development and spread of cancer cells, including cervical cancer cells.

Also Read: Various Ways to Detect Cervical Cancer Early

4. Whole Grain Bread

The body still needs sugar as a raw material for energy. However, you need to be careful in choosing a sugar source.

Whole wheat bread is a good source of carbohydrates because it is high in fiber and is digested more slowly by the body so that it can provide nutrition while reducing the risk of cancer.

In addition, whole oats also contain vitamin B6 which has the benefit of supporting the immune system, red blood cell metabolism, and the nervous system so that it can prevent and inhibit the growth of cervical cancer cells.

5. Oranges

This fruit that is a favorite of many people turns out to have a role in preventing several cancers, including cervical cancer.

A study in Japan stated that someone who consumed oranges 3 to 4 times a week was less likely to experience cancer.

Oranges are known to contain vitamin C, B vitamins, and folate. This content can reduce the risk of cervical cancer in people infected with HPV.

6. Garlic

Having a pungent aroma, it turns out that garlic has more benefits than just cooking spices.

Garlic is known to contain manganese, vitamins B6 and C, and selenium. These nutrients can prevent the growth of cancer cells. Selenium and diallyl disulfide can prevent cell DNA damage.

Meanwhile, the content of flavonoids in garlic has antioxidant properties that can prevent cell damage.

Also Read: Young Women Get Cervical Cancer, What Are the Causes?

7. Nuts

Nuts are already known to have good benefits for the body. The fiber and protein content in these foods can maintain the health of cells in the body. Thus, the formation of cancer cells can also be minimized.

In addition, nuts also contain phytochemical compounds that can protect body cells from damage. Consuming it regularly, cervical cancer can also be prevented.

8. Carrots

Carrots contain beta carotene, which has antioxidant properties that can protect cell membranes from damage caused by toxins and slow the growth of cancer cells. In addition, carrots also contain vitamins and phytochemicals that can protect the body from cancer.

Several studies say carrots can protect the body from cervical cancer because the antioxidants present in carrots can fight HPV infection.

9. Cherries

Cherries are also a fruit rich in nutrients, especially phytochemicals. Several compounds present in cherries include anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and beta carotene. These compounds have antioxidant properties that can protect cells from damage, so cervical cancer can also be prevented.

In addition, the content of perillyl alcohol (POH) in this fruit can kill various cancer cells.

10. Salmon

Salmon is already well known as a food ingredient that is rich in omega-3 so it is good for health. Omega-3s are known to prevent or slow down the growth of cancer cells by reducing inflammation and slowing the growth of cancer cells.

In addition, the red pigment astaxanthin present in salmon has antioxidant properties that can protect cells from damage. Thus, the appearance of cancer cells can also be prevented.

11. Raspberries

Raspberries are a fruit that belongs to the berry group. This fruit has low calories but is rich in nutrients and tastes delicious.

Content ellagic acid in raspberries have anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic properties, so they can prevent DNA mutations in cells infected with HPV. Thus, regular consumption of raspberries can prevent cervical cancer.

12. Papaya

The content of vitamin C, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin found in papaya is known to reduce the risk of HPV infection. When HPV infection can be prevented, a person’s risk of cervical cancer can also be reduced.

Also Read: Types of Exercise You Can Do to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Other Ways to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Besides consuming lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as other foods full of nutrients, there are several other ways you can help prevent cervical cancer.

Here are some ways you can do to prevent cervical cancer, including:

1. The HPV vaccine

The HPV vaccine is able to protect the body effectively from infection with several HPVs, including types of viruses that can cause cervical and uterine cancer.

Keep in mind that this vaccine can prevent future HPV infection, but it cannot cure an infection that has already occurred. Therefore, the HPV vaccine will work effectively when the body has not been exposed to HPV at all.

For those of you who live in Jakarta and want to get the HPV vaccine, you can visit the Farmaku pharmacy. For more info click HPV vaccine Farmaku Kelapa Gading Square Pharmacy.

2. No Smoking

Smoking actively or continuously exposed to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of cancer. The toxins contained in cigarettes can weaken the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight cancer cells.

In addition, the toxins in cigarette smoke can damage or change the DNA of cells, so that cells can grow out of control and form cancer.

Also Read: Abstinence of Cervical Cancer Patients, from Food to Lifestyle

3. Do Pap Smears

Cervical cancer can be prevented by doing regular Pap smears. Through this examination, changes in cells can be detected that have the possibility of developing cervical cancer.

A Pap smear is done by taking a sample of cells from the cervix and the sample is then sent to a laboratory to be examined for the presence of cancer cells.

4. Not changing sexual partners

HPV is a virus that can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. To reduce the risk of HPV infection, when having sex, you are advised to have sexual intercourse with only one partner.

In addition, you are also advised to have intercourse using protection such as condoms to minimize transmission of HPV.

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