Pawpaw protects women from cervical cancer

By Seye Adeniyi

PawpawCERVICAL cancer actually results from the abnormal growth and division of cells at the opening of the womb, the area known as the cervix. This disease can also result from the uncontrolled growth of severely abnormal cells in the cervix.

The main underlying cause is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which have also been estimated to affect 50 to 80 per cent of sexually active women at least once in their lifetime. More than 50 known types of human papilloma virus can also affect the genital area of women, and of these 50 types, six account for almost 80 per cent of cervical cancer cases.

Also about 50 to 90 per cent of confirmed cervical cancer cases do occur among women that are above 35 years and many women are said to contract HPV when they are young. An important reason for the sharply higher incidence of cervical cancer in developing countries like Nigeria is because of lacks of effective screening programme to detect precancerous condition and treat them before they progress to cancer.

If this cancer is not detected and treated on time, it can be fatal as the of 35. But when the abnormality persists over time and become severe , the cells develop into cancer cells.

The progression from HPV infection to cancer can take up to 30 years. Furthermore, women can contract the virus in their teens and later develop the cancer 20 years or more after.

Meanwhile, since there is presently no cure for the HPV and even the vaccine to protect women from the virus is yet to be available in the country, some precautionary measures women can observe to keep the HPV infection at a distance is to be eat pawpaw regularly.

What is in pawpaw that can fight, or prevent its spread, and how can it be used to achieve this purpose? Pawpaw (Carica papaya), scientists say, have abundant Vitamin C that works as an antioxidant and which may also reduce absorption of cancer causing nitrosamines from the soil or processed foods .

It also contains a good amount of folic acid. Folic acid, according to scientists can minimise cervical dysplasia , might will later progress to cervical cancer. It also prevents the development of certain cancers. Woman are thus encouraged to eat pawpaw regularly.