January 2010

What is Cervcal Cancer?
Cancer that forms in the tissues of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus and the vagina). It is a slow growing cancer that may not have symptoms but can be detected by regular Pap tests, a procedure where cells are scraped from the lining of the cervix and looked at under a microscope. Cervical cancer cells do not suddenly change into cancer. Instead, the normal cells of the cervix gradually develop pre-cancerous changes that turn into cancer. Pre cancerous changes can be detected by the Pap test and treated to prevent cancer from developing.
The goal of screening for cervical cancer is to find cervix cell changes and early cervical cancers before they cause symptoms. Cancer of the cervix may be prevented or detected early by regular Pap tests. If it is detected early, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable cancers.

Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer
Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. Several risk factors increase your chance of getting cervical cancer.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of cervical cancer. Having regular Pap tests or Pap smears can detect HPV or abnormal cells in the cervix. HPV infections are most common in women between the ages of 18-30. HPV can be present for years without symptoms. HPV is spread by sexual intercourse or any skin to skin contact with an area of the body infected with HPV. Having many sexual partners and/ or having first sexual intercourse at a young age increases your risk for HPV.

Age Most women diagnosed with cervical cancer are between 50-55 years of age. Although cervical cancer can be found at any age.

Diets low in fruits and vegetables may be at increased risk for cervical cancer.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a hormonal drug that was given to some women to prevent miscarriage between 1940 and 1971. Daughters of the women who took DES develop clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina or cervix more often than would normally be expected. This type of cancer is extremely rare in women who are not DES daughters.

Smoking women who smoke are twice as likely as non-smokers to get cervical cancer. Researchers believe that substances in tobacco may damage the DNA of cervix cells, contributing to the development of cervical cancer.

Oral contraceptives (“the Pill”) taking oral contraceptives for long periods of time increases the risk of cancer of the cervix. Women should discuss with her doctor whether the benefits of using oral contraceptives outweigh this very slight potential risk.

Weakened immune system in women infected with HIV, a cervical pre-cancer might develop into an invasive cancer faster than it normally would.

Screening for cervical cancer
Pap test or Pap smear: a procedure to collect cells from the surface of the cervix and vagina. The cells are viewed under a microscope to find out if they are abnormal.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test: a laboratory test used to check DNA (genetic material) for certain types of HPV infection. This test may be done if the results of a Pap smear show certain abnormal cervical cells.
Colposcopy: A procedure in which a colposcope is used to check the vagina and cervix for abnormal areas.
Biopsy: If abnormal cells are found in a Pap smear, the doctor may do a biopsy. A small sample of tissue cut from the cervix is viewed under microscope to check for signs of cancer.
Pelvic exam: An exam of the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and rectum. The nurse or doctor feels for lumps or abnormal areas.

Recommended Screening and Early Detection Guidelines (American Cancer Society)
Screening should begin approximately three years after a woman begins having vaginal intercourse, but no later than 21 years of age.

Screening should be done every year with regular Pap tests or every two years using liquid-based tests.

At or after age 30, women who have had three normal test results in a row may get screened every 2-3 years. However, doctors may suggest a woman get screened more if she has certain risk factors, such as HIV infection or a weakened immune system.

Women 70 and older who have had three or more consecutive normal Pap test results in the last ten years may choose to stop cervical cancer screening.

Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?
Since the most common form of cervical cancer starts with pre-cancerous changes, there are 2 ways to stop this disease from developing. The first way is to prevent the pre-cancers, and the second is to find and treat precancers before they become true cancers.
Avoid being exposed to HPV

Delay sex

Use condoms

Don’t smoke

Get vaccinated vaccines have been developed that can protect women from HPV infections. The Federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that the vaccine be given routinely to girls ages 11 to 12. It can be given to younger girls 9as young as 9) at the discretion of doctors. The American Cancer Society recommends that women aged 19 to 26 talk with their healthcare provider about their risk of previous HPV exposure and potential benefit from vaccination before deciding to get the vaccine. It is important to realize that the vaccine doesn’t protect against all cancer causing types of HPV, so routine Pap tests are still necessary.

Regular Pap tests A proven way to prevent cervical cancer is to have screening to find pre-cancers before they can turn into invasive cancer.

Recipes

Flaxseeds are a healthy addition to almost any diet. Research shows that this food is a real cancer-fighter. Try this delicious recipe for classic flax bread. For more information about flaxseeds and additional ideas on how you can use this terrific food, please see What Is Flax?

www.Caring4cancer.org has great information on the powers of flaxseeds.

Ingredients
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup ground flaxseeds (flax meal)
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon fast-rising instant yeast
2 cups water
1 cup 2% (low-fat) organic milk
1 tablespoon canola oil

Instructions:
Set aside 1 cup all-purpose flour from the total amount.
Mix remaining flour, ground flaxseed, sugar, salt, and yeast in a large bowl.
Heat water, milk, and oil until hot to the touch (about 125-130F or 50-55C).
DO NOT BOIL.
Stir hot liquids into dry mixture. Mix in enough reserved flour to make a soft dough that does not stick to the bowl.
Turn out onto floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Cover dough and let rest 10 minutes.
Cut dough in half and shape into loaves.
Place into two greased (8.5 x 4.5 inches or 21 x 12 cm) loaf pans.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until dough has doubled in volume (about 40-50 minutes).
Bake at 400F (200C) for 30-35 minutes.
Remove from pans and let cool on wire racks.
Per serving (1 slice): 125 calories; 23 grams of carbohydrates; 3.7 grams of protein; 2 grams of fat; 1.4 grams of fiber

Makes two loaves.

Quinoa, fried tofu, olives and cashews combine with carrots, celery, zucchini, herbs & spices - making this easy quinoa recipe a tasty main dish casserole.

Although classed as a grain, quinoa (keen-wah) is technically an herb, originating with the Incas, in Peru. Quinoa is light, delicious, high in protein, and easy to cook. It can be used in place of rice, bulgar, or couscous in any recipe.

Serves four: Prep time, approximately 40 minutes
Ingredients:
1 c quinoa
1/2 lb extra firm tofu
1/4 cup cashew pieces
1 Tblsp peeled minced fresh ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup chopped black olives
1 six inch zucchini
1 medium carrot
2 stalks celery
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp dried rosemary leaf
1 tsp dried basil leaf
1 tsp gr coriander
1/2 tsp powdered fennel
2 - 3 Tblsp olive oil
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 Tblsp soy sauce
1 3/4 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c. minced parsley or cilantro

Soak quinoa 15 - 20 minutes, rinse, drain and set aside
Cut tofu in bite sized cubes, place in a small bowl, sprinkle with garlic salt and soy sauce and shake or stir to coat with marinade
Set aside
Heat 1 -2 Tblsp olive oil on low in a large saute pan or shallow 4 qt sauce pan
Mince ginger and garlic
Chop celery in small pieces
Peel and chop carrots in 1/2" dice
Wash, trim, and chop zucchini in 1" dice
Coarsely chop olives and set aside
Turn the heat up to medium, and stir fry ginger, garlic, celery, carrots for 5 minutes
Add zucchini and stir fry another five minutes
Stir in dry spices, herbs
Add the drained quinoa and stir until coated with spices
Add 1 3/4 cup water, and salt, then bring to a boil, cover and cook 15 minutes on low
Meanwhile, fry the tofu cubes on medium, stirring and turning, until browned
Stir tofu, chopped olives and parsley into the quinoa and veg
Heat on low for another few minutes and serve

Ingredients:
1 cup of cooked chickpeas
2 large onions
2 dried red chilies
1/4 lb of ginger
3 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon of mustard powder
1 teaspoon of cumin
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Salt, to taste

Preparation:
Peel and cut the onion
Cut the ginger into small pieces
Put these ingredients, along with garlic cloves, mustard powder, and cumin powder in a blender; blend into apaste
Over a medium heat add oil to a pan
Saute the condiments
Once the spices become thick, stir and cook for 5 minutes
Add the cooked chickpeas
Turn over contents of pan
Add 2 tablespoons of water and salt
Add the cinnamon powder and turmeric powder
Stir the pan
Cook for 8-10 minutes.Serve hot