It's normal to feel a little scared when your Pap test report says there are changes in the cells of your cervix. You may think, "I don't know if it's cancer." But don't worry. In most cases, this condition called 'cervical dysplasia' is not cancer, but a precancerous condition. Let's talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is cervical dysplasia?
Simply put, it's the growth of abnormal cells on the surface of your cervix. You know, the cervix is the opening to your uterus, which is connected to the top of your vagina. It's also called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, or (CIN). 'Intraepithelial' means that the abnormal cells are only in the epithelial tissue of the cervix, and haven't spread beyond that layer. 'Neoplasia' means abnormal cell growth.
Think of it like a small change in the top layer of our skin. It can sometimes get better on its own, or it can be cured with a little treatment.
How serious is this situation? Should we be afraid?
It's true that the word "precancerous" can be scary. But the important thing is that not everyone with cervical dysplasia will develop cancer. Being diagnosed with this condition means that if you don't get the necessary treatment, you may, and I mean only may , develop cervical cancer. Even if cancer does develop, it takes years to develop. So your doctor has plenty of time to find these problem areas and remove them. So it's important not to panic and follow your doctor's advice.
What are the ways to classify this abnormal cell growth?
In the past, this condition was classified as 'mild', 'moderate', or 'severe', depending on how likely the abnormal cells are to turn into cancer. But now there's a new way to classify its severity. It's based on how much of the abnormal cells have spread beyond the surface tissue of your cervix. This is called the ``CIN'' classification. It's a scale from one to three.
- CIN 1: This means that there are abnormal cells in about one-third of the thickness of the surface tissue of the cervix.
- CIN 2: Here, the abnormal cells may be present in an area of one-third to two-thirds of the thickness of the tissue.
- CIN 3: In this, the abnormal cells cover more than two-thirds of the thickness of the tissue.
Now, look, `(CIN 1)` condition rarely becomes cancerous in most cases. Also, it often gets better on its own. However, `(CIN 2)` and `(CIN 3)` conditions are more likely to require treatment to prevent cancer from developing.
Who is affected the most by this situation?
Cervical dysplasia affects sexually active women. It is especially common in women who are infected with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Did you know that HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the world?
This condition is most common among women between the ages of 25 and 35, which means they are of childbearing age.
What are the symptoms of this? How do you know?
Most of the time , cervical dysplasia doesn't cause any symptoms. Your doctor will only find these abnormal cells during your regular Pap test. That's why it's so important to get your Pap test done on time. However, sometimes you may notice things like spotting or bleeding after sex.
Why does this situation occur? What is the main reason?
The main cause of this is infection with the `(HPV)` virus. This virus is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time, your body's immune system can eliminate this virus. There are more than 100 different types of `(HPV)` virus. Of these, some types, such as `(HPV-16)` and `(HPV-18)`, are more likely to infect your reproductive system and cause abnormal cell growth in the cervix (Cervical Dysplasia).
Scientists estimate that more than 75% of sexually active women will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. The most common time for these infections is between the ages of 15 and 25. However, most of these infections go away on their own without causing any permanent problems. Very rarely, abnormal cells develop over time, leading to a condition called cervical dysplasia.
Important: Being infected with HPV does not necessarily mean you will develop cervical dysplasia.
The exact reason why some women develop cervical dysplasia when infected with HPV and others do not is not yet known. However, some high-risk types of HPV and how long the infection lasts may play a role. In addition, there are several other risk factors:
- Over 55 years of age: Studies have shown that HPV infections last longer in women over 55. These infections clear up quickly in those under 25.
- Smoking: People who smoke cigarettes and use tobacco products may double their risk of developing abnormal cervical cells.
- Weakened immune system: If you are taking immunosuppressant drugs, your body may have a harder time fighting HPV infection. Also, if you are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), it can also reduce your body's ability to fight infections. If you have a weak immune system and get HPV, you may develop cervical dysplasia.
How is this condition diagnosed? (Diagnosis)
Most likely, your doctor will see signs of this condition during your regular Pap test. If the results of the Pap test are unclear or show abnormal cells, the next step may be a colposcopy, which is a test to examine your cervix.
This ``(colposcopy)`` test can be done in your doctor's office. In this test, the doctor uses a lighted instrument called a ``colposcope`` to look for abnormal cells on your cervix or vaginal walls.
The doctor may also take a tissue sample (biopsy) and send it to a lab to learn more about these cells. Sometimes, a DNA test may be done to check for high-risk HPV types.
What are the treatments for this? (Treatment)
Treatment depends on many factors. The severity of your cervical dysplasia, your age, your health, and your preferred treatment options. Keep in mind that some treatments for cervical dysplasia can affect your ability to get pregnant in the future. So, if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant in the future, talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
Monitoring for abnormal cells
If you have a less serious condition called `Cervical Dysplasia` (CIN 1), you probably won't need treatment. In most cases, this condition will get better on its own. Only a very small percentage of these conditions develop into cervical cancer, about 1%. Therefore, your doctor may recommend regular Pap tests to monitor for abnormal cell changes.
Removing or destroying abnormal cells
If your cervical dysplasia is more severe (CIN 2 or CIN 3), your doctor may be able to remove or destroy abnormal cells that could become cancerous.
There are several methods used for this:
- Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP): In this procedure, a small, electrically charged wire loop is used to remove abnormal tissue. This procedure can also take tissue samples for further testing. Between 1% and 2% of women may develop complications after this procedure, such as delayed bleeding or narrowing of the cervix (stenosis).
- Cold knife cone biopsy (conization): In this procedure, the doctor removes a cone-shaped piece of tissue that contains abnormal cells. This procedure was previously used to treat cervical dysplasia, but is now used for more serious cases. This procedure can also take a tissue sample for further testing. However, it carries a slightly higher risk of complications, such as narrowing of the cervix and bleeding after surgery.
- Hysterectomy: This is the complete removal of the uterus. If cervical dysplasia persists or does not improve after other treatments, a hysterectomy may be an option.
Can this condition be completely cured?
Yes, absolutely! About 90% of all cases of `(Cervical Dysplasia)` can be cured by removing or destroying the abnormal cells. `(Cervical Dysplasia)` rarely progresses to cancer. Even if it does, it progresses very slowly. So there is plenty of time for the doctor to intervene and treat it.
How to protect yourself from this situation? (Prevention)
The only way to prevent cervical dysplasia is to avoid HPV infection. If you already have HPV, getting regular Pap tests can help reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer. Pap tests cannot prevent cervical dysplasia, but they can help detect cervical dysplasia early and prevent it from developing into cancer.
Here are some things you can do:
- Get the HPV vaccine: The best way to prevent HPV and cervical dysplasia is to get vaccinated. The FDA has approved three vaccines that protect against the types of HPV most commonly associated with cervical dysplasia: Gardasil®, Gardasil 9®, and Cervarix®. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 9 and 26 get the vaccine. If you are between the ages of 27 and 45, talk to your doctor about the benefits of getting the vaccine. The vaccine cannot treat people who already have HPV or cervical dysplasia, but it can help prevent future infections in some cases.
- Avoiding sex or practicing safe sex: You can prevent HPV infection by avoiding sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. You can also reduce your risk by practicing safe sex. Use condoms or dental dams during sex. Limit the number of sexual partners.
- Get regular Pap tests: You should have your first Pap test at age 21. If your Pap tests are normal, current recommendations are to have a Pap test every three years from ages 21 to 29. If you are between the ages of 30 and 65, you should have a Pap test and an HPV test every five years.
- Avoid smoking and using tobacco products: If you are a smoker, you are more likely to develop an HPV infection, especially cervical dysplasia, a serious condition.
What happens if I have this condition?
If detected early, the cure rate for cervical dysplasia is very high. In women with high-risk dysplasia, the risk of developing cervical cancer is reduced by 95% within the first eight years after treatment.
After you are diagnosed with cervical dysplasia, your doctor will closely monitor your health to see if the abnormal cells grow back or become cancerous. You will also need to have regular Pap tests and HPV tests. After treatment, your doctor may recommend that you have a Pap test every three to six months for a year or two. After that, you can have a Pap test every year.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
When you find out you have cervical dysplasia, it's normal to have a lot of questions on your mind. Here are some questions you can ask your doctor:
- Should I get the HPV vaccine?
- How serious is my `(Cervical Dysplasia)` condition?
- Am I at increased risk of developing cervical cancer?
- How will this condition `(Cervical Dysplasia)` affect my pregnancy? (If you are pregnant or hoping to get pregnant)
- What tests should I have to monitor my condition? How often should I have them?
- How will treatments for `(Cervical Dysplasia)` affect my ability to get pregnant in the future?
Remember, don't be afraid to ask your doctor about any questions you have, no matter how small. It's very important to be aware of your health.
Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)
It's normal to feel scared when you find out that you have a precancerous condition called ``Cervical Dysplasia'' on your cervix. However, remember that this does not always lead to cancer . If detected early and treated properly, cervical cancer can be prevented.
So, protect yourself from HPV infection. Get the HPV vaccine. Practice safe sex. Never miss a Pap test. Take care of your health! You are not alone, your doctor is there to talk to and get help.
` Cervical Dysplasia, abnormal cervical cells, HPV, Pap test, women's health, precancerous condition, cervical cancer
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