FIBROIDS are the most common benign tumours in Jamaican women. Every week, I diagnose new cases. Some women come in for routine checks with no symptoms at all, while others present with the classic heavy, painful periods.

While surgery is sometimes required, the vast majority of women with fibroids need no medication or operation. If the fibroids are small and not bothering you, we usually leave them alone. The problem arises when those small fibroids quietly grow into breadfruit-sized masses a few years down the road. To make matters worse, we have no way of reliably predicting which fibroids will progress. Thankfully, nutrition and lifestyle are showing promising roles in prevention and control.

Nutrition

Vitamin D deficiency has been consistently linked with a higher risk of fibroids. Safe sun exposure and supplementation can correct this imbalance. Many Jamaicans assume we get enough sun simply by living on this beautiful island. The truth is different. We spend much of our time indoors, in cars, under umbrellas, and layered in sunscreen. Our darker skin also provides natural protection, what I like to call a “built-in SPF 15”, which reduces the amount of vitamin D our bodies make. As a result, many Jamaican women are deficient, no doubt contributing to our fibroid epidemic.

Green tea, rich in the compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has been shown in small scientific trials to shrink fibroids by up to 30 per cent in just three months. EGCG reduces blood flow to fibroids, inhibits fibrotic tissue, and encourages abnormal cells to die off naturally. Together, vitamin D and green tea are promising, low-cost, low-risk additions to standard care.

Other nutrients also matter. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables and lower in red meat and processed foods are associated with reduced fibroid growth. Antioxidant-rich foods calm the inflammation and oxidative stress that fuel fibroid development.

Movement

Regular physical activity further reduces fibroid risk. Aerobic activity like brisk walking, swimming, or cycling has been linked to a smaller fibroid burden. Strength training boosts metabolism, improves insulin sensitivity, and balances hormones — all of which can slow fibroid progression. Women who exercise regularly, including two resistance sessions per week, may cut their fibroid risk significantly while also improving energy and mood.

Take-home

Drink a couple cups of green tea in the morning and get some safe sun exposure. If that is not possible, supplement with products from your local health food store or pharmacy. A nutrient-dense diet combined with consistent movement creates a powerful shield against fibroids.

Dr Ryan Halsall, MBBS DMOG FACOG FMAS, is a consultant obgyn and minimally invasive surgeon. He operates ILAP Medical, Suite 2, 22 Windsor Avenue, Kingston.

Dr Ryan Halsall.