Will cervical precancerous lesions turn into cancer? What are the common misconceptions about cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is known as the "pink killer" of women. Nearly 500,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, half of whom are in Asian countries. There are about 130,000 new cases of cervical cancer each year, and about 30,000 die from the disease. It takes several years for cervical cancer to develop from precancerous lesions to cervical cancer. Timely screening for precancerous lesions can completely cure them, preserving the uterus and reproductive function.

Cervical cancer/4 to 1/3 of cervical precancerous lesions will turn into cervical cancer

Every year, tens of thousands of patients are diagnosed with cervical precancerous lesions, and about 200 are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Half of them are diagnosed in the early stage and can be operated, and about half are diagnosed in the middle and late stages, and have lost the opportunity for surgery and can only undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy. About 1/4 to 1/3 of cervical precancerous lesions will turn into cervical cancer. The incidence of cervical cancer increases year by year from the age of 30, with a high incidence rate. At the age of 45 to 49 and 59 to 60, precancerous lesions are 5-10 years earlier than cervical cancer. 30 to 35 years old is the age when precancerous lesions are concentrated. Therefore, it is very necessary for women over 30 to check cervical cells once a year.

Be careful about the four misunderstandings about cervical cancer

In recent years, the increase in the incidence and age of cervical cancer has attracted people's attention to this disease. However, there are still many women who have misunderstandings about cervical cancer.

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 woman who has sex may be infected with the HPV virus through sexual contact. About 80% of women have been 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? It depends on the type of HPV. There are more than 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 lead to cervical cancer, so they are very afraid of cervical erosion. Professor Liu Zhenshi told reporters that there is no necessary connection between the two.

Medically, the columnar epithelium in the female cervical canal everts and replaces the squamous epithelium of the cervix. During the examination, the doctor will find that the cervix is ​​locally congested and red, 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 of the cervical canal in women of childbearing age everts and replaces the squamous epithelium of the cervix, 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%.

These women should focus on cervical cancer screening

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:

Those with high-risk persistent HPV infection, i.e., those with positive results in HPV16 and HPV18 tests;

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.

Misunderstanding 4: Ignoring the "clues"

Cervical cancer may not cause any discomfort in the early stages, and some symptoms can be easily ignored. Professor Liu Zhenshi suggested that 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, or bleeding after urination. Even if it happens once or in small amounts, you should be alert.

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