Will cervical polyps cause cervical cancer? To prevent cervical cancer, you need to clarify these 3 misunderstandings

The incidence of cervical cancer is second only to breast cancer in female malignancies, accounting for nearly 300,000 female lives worldwide each year. In recent years, the increase in the incidence and age of cervical cancer has 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 disease that can be prevented and treated. In order to prevent cervical cancer, three misunderstandings must be clarified first.

Myth 1: 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 the 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.

Myth 2: Cervical erosion can 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.

In medicine, when the columnar epithelium in the female cervical canal everts and replaces the cervical squamous epithelium, 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 cervical squamous epithelium, presenting a "eroded" state. Due to the relatively low estrogen level in the body, "erosion" is rare in women during puberty and before menopause.

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.

Myth 3: Not paying attention to gynecological examinations

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%.

Cervical polyps can also lead to cervical cancer

1. Keep the vulva clean and actively prevent vaginitis and cervical erosion. For married men and women, everyone should clean the vulva before each sexual intercourse, especially men should remove the smegma to avoid bringing bacteria into the vagina. Be sure to pay attention to: often dry bedding and change underwear frequently. Also strengthen physical exercise to improve the body's disease resistance.

2. In addition to postpartum or post-abortion care, preventive measures for cervical polyps include paying attention to vulvar hygiene in daily life, preventing vaginal inflammation and cervical erosion, and maintaining sexual hygiene.

3. The occurrence of cervical polyps is not only related to inflammatory stimulation, but also to factors such as sexual life and childbirth. Married women account for more than 98% of patients. Since more than one-third of patients have no obvious symptoms, even if the inflammation is mostly mild, vaginal bleeding is obvious, so cervical polyps are easily ignored. Some patients have symptoms such as bleeding after sexual intercourse or strenuous exercise, or even increased abdominal pressure. Other patients may usually have yellow leucorrhea, odor, or bloodshot.

4. Wash and change underwear frequently. On this basis, regular examination of women's diseases is also very important for early detection of diseases and early prevention and treatment.