Researchers found that papaya has an effective anti-cancer agent against cervix, breast, liver, lung and pancreas cancers.
They tested their theories by using a tea made from the extracts of dried papaya leaves and put them in dishes which contain cancerous cells. The team of researchers found that the papaya leaf extract boosted the production chemicals that regulate the immune system. Scientists from the University of Florida, who were behind the study, say that papaya may be used as an alternative cancer treatment. Dr Nam Dang, of the University of Florida, said the findings published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology were groundbreaking. 

"Papaya has a dramatic anticancer effect against a broad range of lab-grown tumours, including cancers of the cervix, breast, liver, lung and pancreas," he said.  

Papaya leaf extract boosts the production of key signalling molecules called Th1-type cytokines. 

"This regulation of the immune system, in addition to papaya's direct anti tumour effect on various cancers, suggests possible therapeutic strategies that use the immune system to fight cancers."

Dr Dang said researchers found no side effects to taking papaya leaf as a treatment in their tests.

"The papaya extract did not have any toxic effects on normal cells, avoiding a common and devastating consequence of many cancer therapy regimens," he said.