I remember seeing a patient over 20 years ago. She was only in her 50’s and she was dying from cervical cancer, a cancer that I rarely see anymore because most women in my practice get regular PAP smears.
She had never gone for regular PAP smears, so by the time her cancer was discovered, it was very advanced.
Cervical cancer is really a preventable cancer. In fact according to the World Health Organization, over 40% of all cancers are preventable if we change our lifestyle and get appropriate screenings.
No woman should ever suffer cervical cancer again.
For women who do not have access to health screenings, I support and am on the Advisory Board of Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Foundation, which provides disadvantaged women with full women’s health exams by taking the services into their neighborhoods in mobile clinics on wheels. There is really no excuse.
Take Action:
Last week I asked you to schedule your own annual exams. If you have not done so, get it done!!
This week I am asking you to reach out to three women, young or old, and remind them of the lifesaving importance of screening for cervical cancer. (And of course while you are at it you can get a breast exam and a pelvic exam to also look at your ovaries and uterus, sites of all too common women’s cancers.)
Be sure to ask for a COMPLETE women’s health exam.
Cancer Fighting Super Foods: Kale and Broccoli to the Rescue
There has been extensive research on the impact of eating cabbage family vegetables and the prevention of women’s cancers.
The most powerful superfoods in this family are lightly steamed kale, broccoli and broccoli sprouts, all of which have high concentrations of sulphoraphanes, the plant chemicals that are responsible for outsmarting cancers at every stage, from the development of cancer to the growth and progression of cancers, especially hormonal cancers that are fueled by estrogen.
These cancers include the most common cancers in women: breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical, colon and lung cancers, all effected by estrogen. And by the way, the valuable phytochemicals in your kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower are actually MORE available when lightly steamed than when raw.
And in men, even prostate cancer is linked to estrogen’s effects. So eat up guys!
Try Kale and Persimmon Salad with Pecan Dijon Vinaigrette!
What can you do?
Eat something from the cabbage family 3-5 times each week (every day if you can!). See the super yummy recipe above and lots more on our website in the recipe section.
If you know you won’t really eat 3-5 servings of cabbage family vegetables every week, consider using concentrated sulphoraphanes supplements, such as Broccoprotect. Just 2 caps daily are great for supporting normal estrogen detoxification and enhancing inflammation control.
