What are the signs of cervical precancerous lesions? Are early pregnancies and multiple births most likely to cause cervical precancerous lesions?

Infection with HPV does not necessarily lead to cervical cancer. In fact, about 80% of women have been infected with the virus in their lifetime, but after they are infected with HPV, the immune system of most women can enter the body and eliminate HPV. Cervical cancer is a disease that can be prevented and treated. Before prevention, it is necessary to clarify these four misunderstandings.

In recent years, the increasing incidence and age of cervical cancer have aroused people's attention to the disease. However, there are still many women who have misunderstandings about cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is not terrible, it is a preventable and treatable disease.

HPV infection = cervical cancer?

The occurrence of cervical cancer is closely related to a virus called human papillomavirus (HpV). Studies have shown that persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus is a necessary factor for cervical cancer and its precancerous lesions. This virus can be detected in the vast majority of cervical cancer patients.

Any sexually active woman may be infected with HPV through sexual contact. About 80% of women will be infected with this virus in their lifetime.

However, cervical cancer does not necessarily occur after being infected with HPV, because everyone has a certain immunity. Studies have shown that after being infected with HPV, the immune system of most women can enter the body and eliminate HPV. Only a few women cannot eliminate what enters the body. HPV, causing persistent infection with HPV, may lead to cervical precancerous lesions. Some patients will further develop cervical cancer in about 5 to 10 years.

Will HPV infection develop into cervical cancer? HPV is related to the type. There are about 100 subtypes of HPV virus. The most common types of HPV infection in the female reproductive tract are 6, 11, 16, and 18. Among them, HpV6 and HpV11 are low-risk types. Studies on cervical cancer from all over the world have found that HpV types 16 and 18 are high-risk types. The infection rate of HpV16 and HpV 18 in cervical cancer patients is the highest.

Cervical erosion will not turn into cancer

Many women have the misunderstanding that cervical erosion can cause cervical cancer, so they are very afraid of cervical erosion. There is no necessary connection between the two.

Medically, when the columnar epithelium in the female cervical canal everts and replaces the squamous epithelium of the cervix, the doctor will find that the cervix is ​​locally congested and red during examination, which is called "cervical erosion". Erosion is not "rotten" in the true sense, it can be a physiological phenomenon. Under the action of estrogen, the columnar epithelium in the cervical canal of women of childbearing age everts and replaces the squamous epithelium of the cervix, presenting an "eroded" appearance. Due to the relatively low estrogen level in the body, "erosion" is rare in women before puberty and during menopause, which is at a lower level.

It is worth noting that cervical erosion may also be a common inflammatory condition. The appearance of early cervical cancer is very similar to cervical erosion and can be easily confused. Therefore, if cervical erosion is found during a gynecological examination, it should not be taken lightly. Further cytological examination and biopsy are needed to confirm the diagnosis, exclude the possibility of cervical cancer, and treat it correctly.

Gynecological examinations require urgent attention!

There is a gradual natural course from HPV infection to the occurrence and development of cervical cancer, which usually lasts about 5 to 10 years. Therefore, as long as women undergo regular cervical cancer screening, it is entirely possible to detect the "signs" of the disease in time and nip it in the bud. At present, the five-year survival rate of patients with early cervical cancer can reach 85% to 90%.

Women of childbearing age should not neglect annual gynecological examinations, including Pap smear or liquid-based cytology (TCT) cervical cytology examinations. Examinations are an important way to detect cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. In particular, the following groups of people who are prone to cervical cancer should not take it lightly:

People who are persistently infected with high-risk types of HPV, i.e., those who test positive for HPV16 or HPV18;

Unhealthy sexual behavior factors, including early sexual life, multiple sexual partners, and poor sexual hygiene, increase the risk of cervical cancer;

Women who marry and have children early and have multiple pregnancies;

Male or female genital warts, syphilis, gonorrhea, etc. will increase the risk of cervical cancer in women;

People with weakened immune function, smoking, and malnutrition.

Don't ignore the clues

Cervical cancer may not cause any discomfort in the early stages, and some symptoms can be easily ignored. Women of childbearing age should learn to pay attention to the body's "health alarms", which are sometimes just "clues", but hidden dangers are possible.

Contact bleeding: mainly refers to bleeding after sexual intercourse or gynecological examination, bleeding after urination. Even if it is only once and the amount is small, you should be vigilant.

Abnormal vaginal discharge: Most cervical cancer patients have varying degrees of increased vaginal discharge, so women should pay attention to the nature, quantity and smell of vaginal discharge. Especially when a large amount of watery or mucous vaginal discharge is found, it must be paid attention.