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Cancer of the cervix can take many years to develop. Before it does, changes occur in the cells of the cervix. These abnormal cells are not cancerous, and are called cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). CIN may also be referred to as dysplasia . Some doctors call these changes pre-cancerous. This means that the cells might develop into cancer in some women if they are not treated.
It is important to know that most women with CIN do not develop cancer.
CIN is usually the result of a virus infection: the human papilloma virus| (HPV). HPV is a very common virus that can affect the cells of the cervix. It’s mainly passed on during sex. Most women who have had sex will have the virus at some time in their life. However, in many women their immune system will get rid of the virus and they won’t know they ever had it. The cervical smear| can detect changes in the cells of the cervix caused by HPV infection.
There are more than 100 types of HPV and each type is identified by a number (eg HPV 16). Some types of the virus can cause genital warts, and other types can cause CIN in the cells of the cervix. CIN usually clears up once the immune system has got rid of the virus. In some women the virus stays for a number of years, and in a few of these women the CIN will develop into cancer if it is not treated.
The type of HPV can affect whether CIN develops or not. Only certain types, such as 16, 18, 31 and 33 (known as ‘high-risk’ types) seem to be associated with the development of CIN, and ultimately with cervical cancer.
There are certain factors that increase your risk of developing cervical cancer:
Many women are aware that having sex at an early age and having several sexual partners can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. It’s important to remember that although these factors can increase the chances of catching the HPV virus, many women who have only had one sexual partner have HPV, and may go on to develop pre-cancerous cervical changes (CIN) or cervical cancer. So there’s no reason for yourself or others to feel that you’re to blame for having cervical cancer. Remember that men also carry HPV, but the health risk to them is much less than that in women. And most HPV infections in men don’t cause symptoms.
Condoms can help to reduce the risk of becoming infected with HPV, but they don’t cover all of the skin and are therefore not completely effective.
A weakened immune system may also allow CIN to develop into a cancer. The immune system can be weakened by:
Long-term use of the contraceptive pill (more than 10 years) can slightly increase the risk of developing cervical cancer, but the benefits of taking the pill outweigh the risks for most women.
Cancer of the cervix is not infectious and can’t be passed on to other people.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.