Gynecological examination showed squamous cells

Checking squamous cells is a common gynecological examination, which is of great significance for the screening of cervical cancer. We know that the incidence of cervical cancer has been relatively high in recent years. This cancer directly threatens the lives of women. If lesions are found during the examination, further diagnosis should be made in time, and then regular treatment should be carried out. Let's take a look at this aspect.

Gynecological examination showed squamous cells

Generally, the cervical epithelium is squamous epithelium, and the epithelium in the endocervical canal is columnar epithelium. The presence of squamous epithelium is also normal. If you are doing a cervical cancer prevention test, the cells taken out should be both squamous epithelium and columnar epithelium. If the doctor does not say that you have abnormalities, you can just have regular checkups in the future. If you have unusual discomfort, further examinations may be needed.

Misunderstandings about Cervical Cancer Examination in Women

Some women have some misunderstandings about cervical cancer examinations, believing that some examination items have a certain effect on the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. In addition to these misconceptions, what other misunderstandings do women have about cervical cancer screening?

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 types of human papillomavirus is a necessary factor for the occurrence of 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 the HPV virus through sexual contact. About 80% of women will be infected with this virus in their lifetime.

However, being infected with HPV does not necessarily lead to cervical cancer, because every healthy woman has a certain degree of immunity. Studies have confirmed that after being infected with HPV, the immune systems of most women can eliminate the HPV that enters the body. Only a small number of women who are unable to eliminate the HPV that enters their bodies, resulting in persistent HPV infection, may develop cervical precancerous lesions. Some of these patients will further develop into cervical cancer, a process that takes about 5 to 10 years.

Whether HPV infection will progress to cervical cancer also depends on the type of HPV. There are about 100 types of HPV viruses. The most common types of HPV that infect the female reproductive tract are types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Among them, HPV6 and HPV11 are low-risk types, while HPV16 and 18 are high-risk types. Cervical cancer studies from all over the world have found that HPV16 and HPV18 have the highest infection rates in cervical cancer patients.

Myth 2: Cervical erosion can turn into cancer

Many women have the misunderstanding that cervical erosion can cause cervical cancer, and therefore are very afraid of it. Professor Liu Xishi told reporters that there is actually no necessary connection between the two.

Medically speaking, when the columnar epithelium in the female cervical canal turns outward and replaces the squamous epithelium of the cervix, the doctor will find that the cervix is ​​locally congested and appears red during examination, which is called "cervical erosion." Erosion is not really "rotten". It can be a physiological phenomenon. Under the action of estrogen, the columnar epithelium in the cervical canal of women of childbearing age turns outward and replaces the squamous epithelium of the cervix, presenting an "erosive" appearance. However, "erosion" is rare in women before puberty and during menopause because the estrogen levels in their bodies are relatively low.

It is worth noting that cervical erosion can also be a common inflammatory condition. Early cervical cancer is very similar in appearance 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 clarify the diagnosis, rule out the possibility of cervical cancer, and provide correct treatment.

Myth 3: Not paying attention to gynecological examinations

There is a gradual natural course from infection with HPV virus to the 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. Currently, the five-year survival rate of patients with early cervical cancer after treatment can reach 85% to 90%.

Women of childbearing age must not neglect annual gynecological examinations, including cervical cytology tests such as Pap smears or liquid-based cytology (TCT) tests, which are important methods for detecting cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. Especially for the following people who are prone to cervical cancer, they should not take it lightly.