Blog Details
Cervical cancer develops gradually, through a series of changes in the cells of the cervix that usually unfold over many years. Understanding this process helps explain why screening and vaccination are so effective.
How Cervical Cancer Develops
1. HPV infection begins the process
Most cervical cancers start with a long‑term infection from high‑risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is very common, and in most people the body clears it naturally. The problem arises when a high‑risk HPV infection persists.
2. Persistent HPV causes cell changes
When HPV stays in the body, it can begin to alter the DNA of cervical cells. These early changes are not cancer—they are called abnormal cells or precancerous changes.
3. Precancerous changes progress slowly
Over time, these** Over time, these abnormal cells may abnormal cells may develop into more develop into more serious changes serious changes known as cervical known as cervical intraepithelial intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). neoplasia (CIN). CIN has different CIN has different grades (CIN1, CIN grades (CIN1, CIN2, CIN3), reflecting2, CIN3), reflecting how abnormal the how abnormal the cells have become cells have become.
4. If untreated, precancer can become, precancer can become cancer
If high cancer** If high‑grade precancer‑grade precancerous cells are notous cells are not detected and treated detected and treated, they may eventually, they may eventually grow deeper into grow deeper into the cervix and become the cervix and become invasive cervical invasive cervical cancer. This cancer. This transition typically transition typically takes 10–15 years takes 10–15 years, sometimes longer, sometimes longer, which is why regular, which is why regular screening is so screening is so powerful.
5. Cancer begins5. Cancer begins to spread
Once to spread** Once cancer forms, it cancer forms, it can grow into surrounding can grow into surrounding tissues and, in tissues and, in advanced stages advanced stages, spread to other, spread to other parts of the body parts of the body. Early detection. Early detection prevents this stage prevents this stage entirely.
