Natural Alternatives to Prevent Cervical Cancer

If a woman is found to have an abnormal pap and is then faced with what to do, conventional doctors will usually recommend a cervical biopsy, followed by a “watch-and-wait” strategy for mild abnormalities or a LEEP (surgery) for moderate to severe abnormalities. However, making an educated decision regarding a patient’s options requires an understanding of abnormal paps and what causes them.

Pap smear abnormalities are described in terms of the degree of dysplasia, or abnormal enlargement. Cervical dysplasia represents a precancerous condition of the uterine cervix that under some circumstances may become cancerous. Cervical cancer, like all cancer, doesn’t happen overnight. It occurs as a continuum of change that begins with subtle abnormalities and becomes increasingly abnormal over time until the cells begin to spread. At this point, it is called cancer. The purpose of a pap smear is to determine if dysplasia is present and to what severity—the goal is to intervene before it becomes cervical cancer. Dysplasia, as well as cervical cancer, is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).

There are more than 40 types of HPV, but fortunately, only a handful is known to cause cancer. These are designated as high-risk, and the presence of high-risk HPV can be determined by an additional test. With high-risk HPV, it is more likely that a doctor will recommend surgery. However, there are some facts regarding HPV that allow for an alternative, natural therapy treatment. In order for HPV to infect the cells of the cervix requires two things: folic acid deficiency and estrogen.

Folic acid deficiency is known to protect normal DNA from infection with the DNA from HPV. Folic acid not only can prevent mild dysplasia from becoming more severe, but can prevent HPV infection to begin with. So, folic acid is useful to treat current cervical abnormalities, as well as to prevent infection with the virus responsible for dysplasia and cervical cancer.

The second requirement for dysplasia is estrogen. Eliminating estrogen is not an option for women, but the manner in which estrogen is broken down by the liver will affect the likelihood of getting dysplasia. Metabolism is a basic process in the body that breaks down some substances and creates, or synthesizes, others. Metabolites are substances that are created as the result of a metabolic process. Estrogen detoxification involves the production two estrogen metabolites: 2-hydroxyestrone (which is good) and 16-hydroxyestrone (which is bad). The ratio of these two metabolites can be measured, and women with more of the bad estrogen are more likely to develop moderate to severe dysplasia.

Certain extracts, such as Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, can cause the body to produce more of the healthy estrogen metabolite and eliminate dysplasia. A high-fiber, plant-based diet also decreases estrogen overall and increases production of healthy estrogen. As an added benefit, dark leafy greens are also naturally high in folic acid.

In summary, folic acid, I3C and a plant-based diet are reasonable and proven means to prevent abnormal pap smears, as well as to treat existing dysplasia. For women with moderate to severe dysplasia, surgery may be necessary; however, adopting a healthy diet and using these nutrients may prevent another abnormal pap in the future.

Dr. Nick LeRoy, DC, MS, is the director of the Illinois Center for Progressive Health. He specializes in alternative therapies for gynecologic conditions, including cervical dysplasia, endometriosis, uterine fibroids and breast health.