Inflammaging: The Hidden Factor That Could Impact Cervical Health (and How You Can Fight It)

A new Wall Street Journal article is shedding light on an emerging risk factor for cancer — one you may have never heard of: inflammaging.

Researchers are finding that as we age, many of us develop a state of chronic low-grade inflammation. This “background” inflammation can interfere with the immune system and promote cancer development — including cervical cancer.

And while age-related immune decline is part of the story, the bigger issue may be that the immune system starts sending out the wrong signals — fueling the wrong kind of inflammation, rather than protecting us.

What is inflammaging?

Inflammaging is a term for chronic, persistent inflammation that tends to increase with age.

• It’s not the helpful, temporary kind of inflammation that helps heal a cut or fight an infection.

• It’s a long-term simmering that quietly disrupts normal tissue function and immunity.

• It can be driven by things like: poor diet, stress, toxin exposure, sleep disruption, and even hidden infections.

Why does it matter for cervical health?

👉 Chronic inflammation has been shown to impair the immune system’s ability to clear HPV — the virus responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers.

👉 The WSJ article highlights new research showing that older immune systems can become hyper-activated in the wrong way, promoting cancer growth instead of fighting it.

👉 Inflammation also damages the delicate cervical and vaginal tissues, making it harder to maintain healthy mucosal immunity.

👉 For women with genetic predispositions (like MTHFR), inflammaging may be an additional reason why HPV lingers or dysplasia recurs.

The good news: You can fight inflammaging.

While we can’t stop the clock, we can take steps to keep inflammation in check and support a resilient immune system.

Here’s how:

✅ Eat an anti-inflammatory diet → Think vegetables, berries, healthy fats (omega-3s), and spices like turmeric (which is in CervDefense!).

✅ Limit sugar and ultra-processed foods → These fuel the wrong kind of inflammation.

✅ Support your gut microbiome → A healthy gut = a calmer immune system.

✅ Manage stress → Breathwork, meditation, time in nature all help reduce inflammatory signaling.

✅ Prioritize sleep → Sleep is when your body does a lot of immune repair.

✅ Consider targeted supplements → CervDefense was formulated to support cervical and immune health, with ingredients like turmeric, EGCG, and DIM that promote a balanced inflammatory response.

Bottom line

As this new research reminds us: Chronic inflammation matters.
It matters for cervical health.
It matters for your ability to clear HPV.
And it matters for long-term cancer risk.

The power is in your hands — and every anti-inflammatory choice you make adds up.

Sources:

• Wall Street Journal: How ‘Inflammaging’ Drives Cancer—and Points to New Treatments (2025)

• Additional peer-reviewed research on inflammaging and HPV clearance