Researchers at the University of Sheffield have started a project to find out whether a diet rich in folate could help protect against cervical cancer.
The researchers will look at levels of folate, a vitamin present in foods such as broccoli and spinach, in women who have had abnormal smear test results.
The study, which is being funded by a £47,000 grant from the World Cancer Research Fund, will then see if there is a correlation between a womans folate levels and the likelihood of her having an abnormal test result.
The researchers, led by Professor Hilary Powers, say that if women with abnormal test results tend to have low levels of folate, then this could suggest that having a diet rich folate could help prevent cervical cancer.
Dr Greg Martin, Science and Research department manager at WCRF, said: This piece of research is very exciting as it may offer women a way of protecting themselves against cervical cancer, in addition to attending cervical screening.
An added bonus is that if folate is found to have a beneficial effect and women are encouraged to follow a healthy diet this would also help reduce their risk of other cancers. Our research shows that eating a diet that has plenty of plant based foods, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight could prevent up to 40 per cent of all cancers.
Professor Powers, Head of the universitys Human Nutrition Unit, said: We think this work is important because the results may help us to develop dietary advice about how women can help themselves to reduce the risk of this cancer.
But regardless of the results, it is very important that young women appreciate that the key to reducing their risk of cervical cancer is to regularly attend a screening clinic so that any abnormalities are detected early.
Tagged in Health