Cervical Health Awareness & Natural Treatment
[Widsom] is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.
Proverbs 3:15-18
Cervical Health Awareness Month in January presents an excellent opportunity to share wisdom about how women can protect themselves from HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical cancer. HPV is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity, and if left undetected or treated, can lead to cervical cancer.
About 79 million Americans currently have HPV, but many people with HPV don’t know they are infected (1). The good news?
Cervical cancer can often be prevented with regular screening tests, proper nutrition, exercise and follow-up care. In this article, I'll share how you can take proactive measures to protect your cervical health, as well as provide information on how to naturally treat any symptoms you may be experiencing.
How Does HPV or Cancer Begin?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, accounting for 75% of the 20 million STIs reported yearly. Acquired by skin-to-skin contact, it is now estimated that nearly all sexually active persons will contract at least 1 type of HPV at some point in their lifetimes. Of the 100-plus HPV genotypes (types), 40 can cause infections of the genital area. Approximately 90% of these HPV infections are transient, asymptomatic, and resolve without treatment. Several, however, are considered high-risk strains accounting for persistent infections and more serious HPV-associated diseases, including cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers. With more than 12,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States, cervical cancer is the most common of the HPV-associated cancers. It affects roughly 8% of the female population and results in fatalities in nearly one-third of the invasive cases of cervical cancer diagnosed yearly (2).
All sickness and disease within the body, begins and ends with having healthy blood cells. Leviticus 17:11a states, "For the life [strength, health and vitality] of the flesh is in the blood." Cervical cancer begins when healthy cells acquire a genetic change (mutation) that causes them to turn into abnormal cells. This happens when a woman's body is infected with HPV. Normally, healthy cells grow and multiply at a set rate and eventually die at a set time. If aggressive measures are not taken to stop mutated cell growth, cancer cells grow and multiply out of control, and the accumulating abnormal cells form a mass (tumor).
These cancer cells invade nearby healthy tissues and can break off from a tumor to spread (metastasize) elsewhere in the body. Factors such as your environment, nutrition and lifestyle choices also determine your susceptibility to contracting cervical cancer.
HPV Signs and Symptoms
Many women who have HPV don’t realize it because most HPV infections have no symptoms that can be seen or felt. HPV is transmitted through intimate contact with an infected person even if they are not showing any signs or symptoms. The only way to really know if you have HPV is to be tested. Some of the most common symptoms include (3, 4, 5):
Wart eruptions appear on the mucosal membranes covering the lining of the vulva, vagina, anus or groin
The tissues will show small bumps or clusters of bumps
Warts range in size and appearance, may be raised or flat, “cauliflower” shaped, and white or fleshed tone
Itching, burning or pain irritation may appear at the location of the warts or lesions
Cervical Cancer Signs and symptoms of more-advanced cervical cancer include:
Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause
Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor
Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
Risk factors for cervical cancer include:
Many sexual partners. The greater your number of sexual partners — and the greater your partner's number of sexual partners — the greater your chance of acquiring HPV.
Early sexual activity. Having sex at an early age increases your risk of HPV.
Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Having other STIs — such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV/AIDS — increases your risk of HPV.
A weak immune system. You may be more likely to develop cervical cancer if your immune system is weakened by another health condition and you have HPV.
Smoking. Women who smoke have 2-3 times higher risk for developing cervical abnormalities due to decreased antioxidants and increased free radical damage that lower the immune system’s response to fight the virus.
Fruits, veggies and supplements. Those who eat a poor nutrient diet, meaning insufficient servings of fruits and veggies, are deficient in nutrients to keep the immune system strong.
To reduce your risk of cervical cancer:
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms.
Have routine well-woman visits. Tests can detect precancerous conditions of the cervix, so they can be monitored or treated in order to prevent cervical cancer.
Most insurance plans must cover well-woman visits and cervical cancer screening. This means that, depending on your insurance, you can get these services at no cost to you.
Practice abstinence or safe sex. Using a condom, having fewer sexual partners and delaying intercourse may reduce your risk of cervical cancer.
Don't smoke.
Taking Care of Your Cervical Health Naturally
If you have been diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells, you need a solid plan of action to improve cellular antioxidant protection and boost your immune system. Below are some ways to care for your cervical health naturally.
Incorporate daily prayer and meditation. Seeking God's wisdom and direction reduces chronic stress levels. Chronic stress has been proven to change blood flow to cervical tissue and affect its secretions. Trust God regarding your health to put your heart and mind at ease. Rest totally in Him and surround yourself with a circle of sisters who can pray for you and provide emotional support. Attend a healthy bible-believing church to help you stay spiritually focused and strong.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Eat clean organic Non-GMO foods. A diet rich with green, yellow, orange, red and cruciferous vegetables has been shown to be the best way to incorporate key nutrients into the diet. When specific antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C, E, folic acid, carotenoids and lycopene are low, HPV is harder to treat. Consuming a healthy plant-based diet that includes cabbage-family vegetables is excellent because of its great cancer-fighting abilities (6).
Asparagus
Bone broth
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Citrus fruits
Cantaloupe
Fermented vegetables
Green leafy vegetables
Green tea
Grass-fed meats and cage free eggs
Healthy fats like grass-fed butter, avocados, olive oil, coconut oil
Kefir
Kombucha and kvass
Kimchi
Nuts
Oranges
Papaya
Peaches
Pumpkin seeds
Strawberries
Wild caught seafood
Yogurt
Eating raw or lightly steamed vegetables and juicing are best. Soaking and sprouting nuts and seeds releases an abundance of healing enzymes and increases their digestibility and allows greater absorption of nutritional content. Incorporate antiviral herbs as herbal teas, infusions or herbal-infused oils such as: Dandelion, Moringa, Elderberry, Echinacea, Garlic, Ginger, Licorice Root, Oregano and Oregano Oil.
Eliminate all junk food from your diet. Processed foods are high in sodium, refined sugar, processed white flour, wheat, grains, corn and animal products with hormones and other bad fats, cause inflammation and deplete the body of essential nourishment.
Drink clean filtered water and eliminate all sugary drinks to detoxify the body and keep it alkaline. Increase alkalinity and decrease acid. Increased acidity within the blood comes from consuming sugar-based drinks. You can measure the acidity of your urine using a pH test strip.
Inhale fresh air through exercise. It is imperative to actively oxygenate the blood cells with fresh air. Sickness and disease cannot live in a highly oxygenated environment within the flood cells. Healing the body at the cellar level. If your whole body is properly oxygenated and eliminates toxins, delicate tissues like your cervix will respond positively.
In addition to the fresh air, being outdoors exposes your skin to the sunshine, creating Vitamin D and is essential for normalizing your body's immune response.
Incorporate healing Essential Oils. Tea tree oil has antiviral properties that have proven to be effective against common pathogens. A study found that a combination of Tea Tree Oil and Eucalyptus Oil worked effectively against the herpes simplex virus. Many women have also found using Tea Tree oil vaginal suppositories and steaming herbs for sitz baths to be helpful.
Eliminate environmental toxins. According to a study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than air pollution. To help you identify the source of indoor toxins, in Chapter two of my book, Fresh Air and Your Health, I provided a basic reference list based upon EPA findings that will help you to begin clearing the air so to speak. The list shows common items containing potentially hazardous ingredients that might be found in your home, office, childcare center, garage, basement, or other storage space. At the end of the chapter, I provide some safe and effective alternatives and easy-to-follow cleaning recipes.
Subjecting the body to enclosed spaces for prolonged periods of time,
is like setting up camp in an invisible war zone; surrounded by a
stealthy and unseen enemy ready to invade and attack your bloodstream
with hundreds of dangerously toxic poisons.
Incorporating Food and Supplements
Indol-3-Carbinol with DIM: Indole-3-Carbinol (I-3-C) is a compound found in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. Cruciferous vegetables are essential for the nutritional support of delicate, hormone-sensitive organs and tissues. Studies show that this extract has the potential to prevent and even treat a number of common estrogen-related cancers (7). The most important derivative made from Indole-3-Carbinol is DIM (Diindolylmethane). I-3-C and DIM may have the ability to improve protection from toxic substances found within fragrances, deodorant, and some even pesticides.
Vitamin C. A number of studies have shown the protective, immunity-boosting benefits of good vitamin C intake on cervical health. Here's the Vitamin C that my family and I take.
Zinc Rich Foods. Zinc deficiency is considered a risk factor for the development of cervical health issues. High-protein foods contain the highest amounts of naturally occurring zinc and include turkey, eggs, wild caught salmon, grass-fed beef and lamb, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds and cashews.
Increase Folate levels. HPV and cervical cancer have been linked to low-levels of folic acid. Folate is naturally found in foods, while folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that’s found in supplements or fortified foods. Food high include beef liver, spinach, black-eyed peas and avocados.
Selenium. In a recent study, supplementation with selenium improved the cervical health of over 75% of women, over a period of 6 months. Selenium can be obtained naturally by eating Brazilian nuts, wild caught tuna, cage free eggs and sunflower seeds.
Cod liver oil. Cod liver oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids and is abundant in vitamins A and D. Vitamin D is a well-known cancer preventative and immune booster.
HPV is very common and often very treatable with these natural remedies. Rock Your World Naturally is committed to helping you understand the amazing natural healing options that are available to you, so that you can make knowledgeable, powerful choices to care for your body, soul and spirit. When you seek God concerning His wellness plan and have the right information, you can begin making wise choices that will benefit your overall health.
"You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!:
Philippians 4:13
References:
(1). Health Finder: Cervical Health Awareness Month
(2). Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal. Kimberly Windstar, MEd, ND, Corina Dunlap, BA, and Heather Zwickey, PhD. Escharotic Treatment for ECC-positive CIN3 in Childbearing Years: A Case Report. 2014 Apr; 13(2): 43–49.
(3, 4). Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer, Mayo Clinic.
(5). Cervical Cancer, Cleveland Clinic
(6) The Association of Dietary Patterns with High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study in Italy. Martina Barchitta,1 Andrea Maugeri,1 Annalisa Quattrocchi,1 Ottavia Agrifoglio,1 Aurora Scalisi,2 andAntonella Agodi1,* 2018 Apr; 10(4): 469. Published online 2018 Apr 11
(7). Grubbs Cj, Steele VE, Casebolt T et al. Chemoprevention of chemically-induced mammary carcinogenesis by indole-3-carbinol. Anticancer Res. 1995; 15: 709-716.
