Homeopathic and holistic advice to support cervical cancer prevention and treatment

• Highlight the risks of cervical cancer


• Highlight the preventative benefits of the often-misunderstood screening test


• Encourage women of all ages to respond to their screening invitation


• Encourage women to consider booking an appointment if they have missed previous invitations


• Aim to tackle issues of fear and embarrassment

• Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause


• Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odour


• Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse

Risk factors

• 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, gonorrhoea, 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 is associated with squamous cell cervical cancer.

• Birth control pills: A 2003 scientific review of 28 studies found that compared to women who never took oral contraceptives, those who were on the pill for less than five years had a 10 percent increased risk of cervical cancer; those who took it for five to nine years had a 60 percent increased risk. The same study found that the risk returns to normal 10 years after a woman stops taking oral contraceptives.


• Pregnancies: More than three full term pregnancies are associated with an increased risk. The reason is unknown.


• DES: Daughters of women who took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy between the years 1940 and 1971 may be at increased risk of a rare form of cervical cancer. DES is no longer given to pregnant women.

• Have routine Pap tests. Pap tests can detect precancerous conditions of the cervix, so they can be monitored or treated in order to prevent cervical cancer. Long before any symptoms occur, a Pap test may reveal abnormal cell growth in the cervix (this is called cervical dysplasia), which causes no symptoms but is considered a precancerous condition.


• Most medical organizations suggest women begin routine Pap tests at age 21 and repeat them every few years.


• Practice safe sex. Using a condom, having fewer sexual partners and delaying intercourse may reduce your risk of cervical cancer.


• Don't smoke.


• The Government advise getting vaccinatedagainst HPV.(Before doing this, I would strongly suggest that extensive research is done as to any side effects that could affect your child,taking into account your child’s current state of health. I propose that this is the responsible approach.)  Vaccination is available for girls and women ages 9 to 26.

• Simple hysterectomy.The cervix and uterus are removed along with the cancer. Simple hysterectomy is usually an option only in very early-stage cervical cancer.


• Radical hysterectomy.The cervix, uterus, part of the vagina and lymph nodes in the area are removed with the cancer.

• Eat a plant-based diet focusing on a wide variety of coloured fruits and vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage contain a cancer-preventing compound so potent that is being investigated as a chemotherapy agent. Berries are rich in beneficial phytonutrients and antioxidants. Overall, a diet that emphasizes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, cold water fish that provide omega-3 fatty acids (fish eaters have a reduced risk of cancer) is the best nutritional strategy.


• Decrease your intake of animal fats in general and red meat and dairy products in particular to control cancer-promoting inflammation in the body.


• Avoid refined sugar and highly processed carbohydrates, which are not beneficial for individuals living with cancer because of their effect on insulin production and insulin-like growth factors, which promote inflammation and are also associated with cancer cell division.


• Choose organic fruits and vegetables. While expensive, they are the best options for cancer patients, 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. Organically grown plants do this by producing more intense protective chemicals, known as phytonutrients, which are beneficial to us.

• Folate: Studies have shown a connection between folate deficiency and an increased risk of cervical dysplasia. In two separate double-blind trials and one uncontrolled trial, doses of 5-10 mg per day for one to three months were found to be effective for cervical dysplasia in women taking oral contraceptives. Dosage: 2-10 mg daily for treatment, or 1-3 mg for prevention.


• Vitamin C: Vitamin C exerts both anticancer and antiviral effects. It's also involved in collagen synthesis and helps to detoxify potential carcinogens. Dosage: 1,000-5,000 mg daily to bowel tolerance.


• Vitamin B12-Methylcobalamin: Vitamins B12, B6, and folate help to decrease homocysteine levels. When elevated, homocysteine has been associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. Methylcobalamin is the preferred form of B12 because it is utilized more efficiently in the body.


• Carotenoids: Studies of cervical dysplasia and carotenoids indicate that low concentrations of selected serum carotenoids (alpha carotene, beta carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, and beta cryptoxanthin) are associated with an increased risk of cervical dysplasia. Dosage: 75,000 IUs of mixed natural carotenoids twice daily for treatment Flaxseed and/or Pure Fish Oil:


• Essential fatty acids, in the form of flaxseed or uncontaminated fish oil, decrease the formation of PGE2, a type of prostaglandin that acts as a messenger molecule to promote inflammatory pathways in the body. Some prostaglandins can actually inhibit cancer growth and support healthy immune function, while other prostaglandins promote cancer. Omega-3s (found in fish oil and flax oil) support the "healthy" prostaglandin pathways, preventing disease and abnormal cell growth. Dosage: Take up to 2 Tbs. of flax oil daily and/or up to 3,000 mg fish oil daily with a minimum of 1,000 mg of EPA and 600 mg of DHA.


• Vitamin E-Mixed Tocopherols:Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, and low levels of this vitamin have been associated with an increased risk of all stages of cervical dysplasia. Supplementing with vitamin E to raise serum levels is associated with a decreased risk. Vitamin E also promotes tissue healing. Dosage: 400-800 IU daily.


• Selenium-L-selenomethionine: Selenium is another important antioxidant that protects against many cancers, including cervical cancer. It is an important mineral for activating optimal immune functioning. L-selenomethionine is more bioavailable and more easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.


• Dosage: 200-400 mcg daily.


• Zinc: This is another important immunity-building mineral. It also helps heal tissue.


• Dosage: 30 mg daily.


• Probiotics-Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp.: Probiotics are known to have an important role in the maintenance of normal flora in the gastrointestinal tract. They are also essential for the detoxification of excess oestrogens from the body through the bowel along with dietary fibre. Probiotics also support optimal immune function, as 70 percent of our immune cells reside in the gut.


• Dosage: at least 10 billion CFU daily with food.


• Green tea extract: This has been shown to prevent and/or treat HPV-related lesions. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibits cervical cell proliferation and induces cell death (apoptosis) for cancer cells. It therefore possesses antitumor effects.


• Dosage300 mgs daily.


• Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C):This chemical compound is found in cruciferous vegetables, including cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and kale. I3C has been shown to prevent abnormal cell growth and tumor progression. 13C increases the protective 2-hydroxyestrone without increasing the other harmful oestrogens.