How can pre cancerous changes or Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) be treated?
There are a number of different ways that pre cancerous changes or CIN can be treated.
- The treatment options available are either to remove a small part of the cervix or neck of the womb
- Or to treat by heating or freezing the tissue
- Cervical cone biopsy
The reason for choosing one treatment instead of another may depend upon the site or size of any abnormality or the exact microscopic appearance of the pre-cancerous abnormality (CIN 1, 2 or 3, cGIN). All treatment methods are highly effective.
Is a hysterectomy the answer to problems of the cervix?
A hysterectomy is very rarely used as a specific treatment for women with abnormal smears. It may be recommended after 2 or 3 local treatments have failed to remove a pre-cancerous problem, or if for technical reasons further smears cannot be taken from a cervix having had multiple treatments. Other women suitable for hysterectomy may have other difficulties such as heavy periods and abnormal cells making a hysterectomy a practical common solution. A hysterectomy may be recommended for an early cervical cancer or a glandular abnormality.
I have heard about a virus called HPV. What is it?
The single most important risk factor for developing cervical cancer is infection with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This is a tiny virus which infects skin or mucosa. There are over 150 different types of HPV. They infect only humans and different types infect only specific sites e.g genital area or skin
HPV is a very common sexually transmitted infection.
Many HPV types are called ‘low risk’ types and these do not cause cancer. The HPV types commonly linked with cervical and cervical pre-cancer (usually called CIN) are called high risk (or oncogenic). High risk types of Human Papilloma Virus (hrHPV) are detected in almost all cervical cancers and persistent infection with hrHPV is the single most important factor in the development of CIN and of invasive cancer. HPV 16 is the most prevalent type being found in about 70% of cervical cancers and HPV 18 the next most prevalent.
When can I have a test for HPV?
The test is taken in exactly the same way as a cervical cytology (smear) test and sometimes can be done on the same sample without having to have a second examination.
How do people get HPV?
HPV is transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact. You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. You can develop symptoms years after you have sex with someone who is infected, making it hard to know when you first became infected.
What can HPV infection cause?
HPV infections will persist and can cause certain cancers and other diseases. HPV infections can cause:
- cancers of the cervix, vagina, and vulva in women
- cancers of the penis in men
- cancers of the anus and back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx) in women and men
HPV can also cause genital warts in men and women.
How many people get cancer and/or genital warts from HPV?
Every year, about 17,600 women and 9,300 men are affected by cancers caused by HPV. About 180,000 women and 160,000 men are affected by genital warts caused by HPV every year.
What other ways someone could get HPV?
It’s not very common, but sometimes a pregnant woman with HPV can pass it to her baby during delivery. In these cases, the child can develop recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a rare condition where warts caused by HPV (similar to genital warts) grow in the throat.
Can you get HPV from the toilet seat?
There haven’t been any cases of people getting HPV from surfaces in the environment, such as toilet seats. However, someone could be exposed to HPV from objects (toys) shared during sexual activity if the object has been used by an infected person.
Who should get HPV vaccine?
Anyone can take the vaccine course.
- All girls and boys who are 11 or 12 years old should get the recommended series of HPV vaccine.
- Teen boys and girls who did not get the vaccine when they were younger should get it now.
- The vaccine is also recommended for
- gay and bisexual young men
- young men and women with weakened immune systems (including HIV) if they did not get HPV vaccine when they were younger.
Should boys get HPV vaccine too?
HPV vaccines are also recommended for boys. These vaccines help prevent boys from getting infected with the types of HPV than can cause cancers of the back of the throat, penis and anus. The vaccine also prevents genital warts. When boys are vaccinated, they are less likely to spread HPV to their current and future partners.
How long will the HPV vaccine provide protection?
HPV vaccine offers long-lasting protection against HPV infection and HPV associated disease. Protection produced by HPV vaccine lasts at least 8-10 years according to data from clinical trials and ongoing research. There is no evidence to suggest that HPV vaccine loses the ability to provide protection over time.
Will the vaccine require a booster?
The HPV vaccine series requires three shots given over six months; booster doses are not recommended.
Will the vaccine cause cancer?
HPV vaccine cannot cause HPV infection or cancer. HPV vaccine is made from one protein from the virus that cannot cause HPV infection or cancer. Not receiving HPV vaccine at the recommended ages can leave one vulnerable to cancers caused by HPV.
Will the vaccine cause fertility issues?
No. There are no data that suggest getting HPV vaccine will have an effect on future fertility. In fact, getting vaccinated and protecting against cervical cancer can help women have healthy pregnancies and have healthy babies.