Brewing Up Cervical Cancer Prevention

Green tea extract has long been touted as an elixir of good health, rich in powerful antioxidants. The Arizona Cancer Center is investigating whether it might also prevent cervical cancer. Until now, Gardasil, the human papillomavirus vaccine, was thought to be the only line of defense against cervical cancer caused by the virus. The UA study will examine what impact Polyphenon E, a green tea extract, has on women who have HPV. Dr. Francisco Garcia, professor of obstetrics and gynecology, will evaluate whether the extract is effective in wiping out the virus in the cervix before it becomes cancerous.