What Causes An Unhealthy Cervix?
Many factors can compromise cervical health, such as human papillomavirus infections, smoking, engaging in sexual activity at a younger age, having multiple sex partners, or having sex with an individual who has had multiple sex partners. HPV is the most common cause of cervical cell changes that increase an individual’s chance of developing cervical cancer. Chronic HPV infection can lead to changes in cervical cells that can predispose them to become cancerous. More specifically, HPV strains 16 and 18 are associated with an increase in the risk of developing cervical cancer. Other HPV strains like 7 and 11 that are commonly associated with genital warts usually are not associated with an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. HPV oncogenes E6 and E7 increase the risk of cervical cancer development by causing persistent viral infection and the development of cervical lesions (Guo and Jing, 2023). Oncogenes are mutated genes that are known to increase the risk of cancer.
Other risk factors such as smoking stifle the immune system, and the contents of tobacco can create cell mutations, making it difficult for the immune system to clear HPV or causing malignant changes in cervical cells (Okunade, 2020). Having multiple sex partners or having sex with someone who has multiple sex partners increases the risk of HPV exposure
Listed below are some ways to improve the health of your cervical health.
8 Ways To Improve Cervical Health
1. Increase Antioxidant Intake
Antioxidants are a wonderful choice for improving cervical health because they decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS). Higher levels of ROS are associated with the development of chronic diseases such as cancer. Excessive build-up of ROS can lead to DNA damage and genomic instability, increasing the resistance of cells to chemotherapy drugs (Jelic et al., 2021). Antioxidants decrease ROS accumulation and help maintain a balance between oxidation and reduction.
2. More Vitamin D
Vitamin D posses anti-inflammatory properties, and deficiencies have been shown to increase the risk of developing cervical cancer (Avila et al., 2023).
3. Increase Vitamin A Consumption
Vitamin A is a good choice because it has antioxidant and gene transcriptional regulation activities and is involved in cell differentiation, growth, and immunity. Increased risk of cervical cancer has been seen in individuals with vitamin A deficiencies.
4. Consider a Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet contains anti-inflammatory effects, especially olive oil, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties. The Mediterranean diet helps decrease salt intake, which is helpful because higher salt intake is associated with inflammatory responses through the disruption of activation of macrophages. Macrophage disturbance weakens the tissue inflammation process and promotes wound healing. Lycopene, an antioxidant responsible for the red color of fruits and vegetables, reduces oxidative stress, decreasing ROS accumulation and the risk of cellular DNA damage.
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5. Increase Exercise
Physical inactivity is associated with higher levels of inflammation, potentially contributing to the growth of conditions such as cervical cancer. Exercise is an important activity because not only does it give us energy and help us maintain a healthy weight, but it can also help regulate hormones. Hormone regulation plays a key role in cervical health because hormones such as estrogen can influence the risk of developing conditions such as cervical cancer.
6. Green Tea
Green tea contains numerous medicinal actions, including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and diuretic effects.
Epigalloatechin-3-gallate (ECGC) and Poly E are components of green tea with positive effects on cervical cells. Zou et al. (2011) observed the effects of these two compounds on pre-cancerous and cancerous cervical cell lines. They report that at lower and higher concentrations of EGCG, levels of cell growth inhibition increased. They also found that EGCG strongly influences the production of the proteins p51 and p21, responsible for apoptosis or cell death. Affecting cell growth inhibition and apoptotic proteins play roles in monitoring cellular activity and preventing the replication of cancerous cells. The authors also noticed decreases in the HPV oncogene E7 in groups that consumed EGCG and poly E (Zou et al., 2011).
7. Practice Safe Sex
Practicing safe sex helps prevent the spread of most sexually transmitted diseases and infections like HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia, and HPV. Infections tend to cause inflammation, and continuous inflammation is associated with pre-cancerous occurrences (Jelic et al., 2021).
8. Visit your doctor regularly.
Cervical screening is the most important preventative measure for cervical cancer.
Recommendations for cervical screening presented by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) are as follows:
- Ages under 21: Screening is not recommended.
- Ages 21- 29:
- Pap smear every 3 years
- HPV can be considered in women ages 25-29.
- Ages 30-65: Can choose one of the following:
- Have a Pap test and HPV (together) every 5 years
- Have a Pap test alone every 3 years
- Have an HPV test alone every 5 years
- Ages 65 years and older: Screening is not recommended
References:
1. Avila, E., Noriega- Mejía, B., González-Macías, Cortes-Hernández, U., García-Quiroz, J., García-Becerra, R., Díaz, L. (2023). The Preventative Role of the Vitamin D Endocrine System in Cervical Cancer. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 24(8665). 1-15. The Preventive Role of the Vitamin D Endocrine System in Cervical Cancer (nih.gov)
2. Guo, W., Jing, W. (2020). N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine Reduces Cervical Carcinogenesis by Promoting Apoptosis. Drugs in R&D. 23. 165-174. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10293158/#:~:text=Results,and%20Akt%20activation%20in%20vitro.
3. Jelic, M.D., Mandic, A.D., Maricic, S.M., Srdjenovic, B.U. (2021). Oxidative stress and its role in cancer. Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics. 17(1). 22-28. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33723127/
4. Okunade, K.S. (2020). Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer. J Obstet Gynaecol. 40(5). 602-608. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31500479/#:~:text=Abstract,human%20papillomavirus%20(HPV)%20infection.
5. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. (n.d.). Cervical Cancer Screening. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/cervical-cancer-screening#:~:text=Follow%20these%20Guidelines%3A&text=If%20you%20are%2021%20to,co%2Dtesting)%20every%205%20years
6. Zou, C., Liu, H., Feugang, J.M., Hao, Z., Chow, H-H, S., Garcia, F. (2010). Green Tea Compound in Chemoprevention of Cervical Cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 20(4). 617-624. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2918290/pdf/nihms167192.pdf
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