By David Liu PHD

Saturday Dec 8, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- It is well known that human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus, is a cause for most of the cases of cervical cancer, which can develop from some cervical lesions induced by the virus.

A new study in European Journal of Cancer Prevention suggests that taking probiotics may help clear the HPV-induced cervical lesions that may otherwise cause cervical cancer.

HPV can be cleared naturally in up to 80 to 90% percent of women within one to two years of HPV infection without any treatment nor taking any prescription drug.  But the study found probiotics can help get rid of the virus and help clear cervical lesions induced by the virus.

V. Verhoeven of  University of Antwerp in Antwerpen, Belgium and colleagues conducted the study and found that among HPV positive women who were diagnosed with a low-grade suqamous intraepithelial lesion in their PAP smear test, those who drank probiotics were twice as likely as those who did not use probiotics to clear cytological abnormalities during a 6-month follow-up.

Additionally, the researchers found that among women who used probiotics, 29% cleared HPV during the six month follow-up, compared to 16% among those who did not drink probiotics.

The study enlisted 54 women diagnosed with an HPV+low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and in the study some were using probiotics for six months and some were not as controls.

The researchers concluded "This exploratory pilot study suggests that the probiotic studied promotes the clearance of HPV-related cytological abnormalities. If confirmed, this would represent an entirely new option to manage cervical cancer precursors."

The majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by human papillomavirus or HPV.  At least 50% of sexually active American men and women get the virus at some point in their lives.

Girls are recommended to receive three shots of HPV vaccine before entering the 7th grade. The HPV vaccine is controversial and many parents do not feel comfortable using the drug fore whatever reason.  Cautions:  Many HPV vaccine recipients reported adverse effects including many cases of deaths after vaccination.   For one thing, the HPV cannot prevent cervical cancer 100% and the vaccine recipients at an older age will still need to undergo the Pap smear test as a routine examination.

It should be noted that although HPV is considered a sexually transmitted disease, boys and girls can contract the virus without sexual contact.

In addition to probiotics, previous studies suggest vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A, fruits, vegetables and vitamins or anything that boosts a person's immunity can help clear HPV  or HPV induced cervical lesions.  As long as the infection is not chronic, it is very unlikely for a woman to develop cervical cancer.

Lifestyle is a major risk factor.  As a sexually transmitted disease, the PHV virus spreads more often through sexual contact.  That is, having one sexual partner is the most effective way to prevent the contracting of the virus.   Those who have multiple partners should always use protective measures to prevent all sexually transmitted disease including HPV infection and cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is considered a rare disease.  An estimated 12,000 American women are diagnosed with the disease each year and the disease kills about 4,000 annually, according to the National Cancer Institute.