CAN CERVICAL DYSPLASIA AND CANCER BE PREVENTED WITH NUTRIENTS

Invasive cervical cancer accounts for 11.6% of all cancers worldwide a nd is the second most common cancer among women. It is the most common cancer among women living in less developed countries. Although infec tion with oncogenic-type human papillomaviruses (HPV) is associated wi th most cases of cervical cancer, HPV infection alone is an insufficie nt cause of cervical cancer. Research from the last two decades sugges ts a role for nutrients in the prevention of cervical cancer. However, results from phase III folio acid and beta-carotene chemoprevention t rials have been negative. Potential reasons for the lack of treatment effect are discussed within the context of cervical carcinogenesis.