Cervix
Uterus
Vagina
Normal Cells vs. Abnormal Cells
Columnar cells are fragile and delicate and transform into tougher, more durable squamous cells in the transformation zone.
Your body is made up of trillions of cells. Within each *normal* cell, there are genes that give directions on when to grow, multiply, group, and die.
*Abnormal* cells disobey these directions. Kind of like *that* guest at a party who insults the host, ignores the cocktail napkins, and doesn't leave when the party is over.
In other words, these cells multiply, divide, and behave in unplanned ways.
Beyond getting Pap tests and the HPV vaccine, there are things you can do in your daily life that support your immune system, and in turn, can help you fight off viruses and disease. These lifestyle-based recommendations are all backed-by-science and 100% in your control.
People talk smack about the Pap because it can feel invasive, uncomfortable, and straight-up awkward. But the rise of this easy-to-perform, inexpensive, and highly-reliable test has made a colossal impact on the decline of cervical cancer incidence.
The Pap test is named after Greek immigrant, Dr. Papanikolaou. He rightly believed and proved that most forms of cervical cancer begin with an infection and the changes in the cells that ultimately become cancer cells progress in a predictable fashion over time. He is the pioneer behind early cervical cancer detection.
In a Pap test, cells are taken from the cervix using a speculum and examined under a microscope. Pap tests detect abnormal cells.
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We believe that sound science need not be confusing, and that choice in healthcare starts with presenting patients and providers with the facts.
Mild dysplasia
Severe dysplasia
Referred to as the “common cold” of the sexually active world, HPV, aka the human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control states that almost *all* sexually active people will contract at least one HPV strain at some point in their lives.
A virus is a small infectious agent that replicates in living cells. A strain is a certain biological form of a microorganism. Viruses are like families and strains are like the cousins within the extended family — related but not exactly identical.
So, what’s going on down there?
We’re all about the
Only people with cervixes can get cervical cancer but HPV affects all of us.
Males are not tested for HPV but they are carriers and transmit the virus. They can also suffer from the ramifications of the untreated virus. It is estimated that HPV causes 9,000 new cancers in males in the U.S. every year, including nearly all anal cancers, 63% of penile cancers, and 70% of throat cancers.
Let’s talk about
Get moving!
Physical activity stimulates the immune system. Strong immune systems are better at fighting off viruses and may support the body in fighting off cervical cancer [21].
Skip the cigs!
Smoking limits the immune system's ability to fight off HPV. Females who smoke are about twice as likely as non-smokers to get cervical cancer [16, 26].
Get your vitamin D!
80-90% of females are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D helps with the stimulation of antibody formation. There is clinical research showing that vitamin D supplementation can lead to the regression of mild dysplasia. 20 minutes in the sun 3x a week can make all the difference [13, 18, 23].
Nutrition is vital!
We're all about nutrient delivery and we think of #FoodasMedicine. Diets high in carotenoids, foods with red, yellow, and orange pigment (think squash, oranges, apricots) and vitamin C may help reduce cancer risk [7].
Limit chronic stress!
Or better yet, learn how to modulate the impact of allostatic load on your immune system. Does this sounds like a different language? Learn more and take the quiz at www.stressquiz.asktia.com
The HPV test looks for the virus. This test does not detect precancerous or cancerous cells. It does, however, identify which strains (high-risk or low-risk) are present.
A colposcopy examines abnormal cells through a microscope and a bright light. Think: a close-up on the cervix, vulva, and vagina.
An abnormal Pap is a broad categorization that can mean a bunch of different things — it can indicate HPV, a different kind of infection, or unusual cells on the cervix.
Your Care Provider may follow up with additional testing to get more information on what’s going on down there.
Your cervix can bounce back from anything (just like you). Made from connective tissue, it is the lowest part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It stretches slightly during menstruation and expands up to 10 centimeters during childbirth.
Abnormal cells
Cancer
Despite what it sounds like, the transformation zone is not a ride at a county fair, it is the area that surrounds the opening of the cervix and where “abnormal cells” most commonly develop.
There are two types of cells on the surface of the cervix: squamous and columnar. Throughout your lifetime columnar cells *transform* into squamous cells in this zone.
We all went through puberty and know that change means vulnerability. This is true even on a cellular level — cells are most vulnerable during periods of change. This makes the transformation zone at the cervix the most common place for abnormal cells to develop, which can, but do not always, lead to cancer.
Cervical dysplasia is the growth of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. There is a spectrum to dysplasia — an increase in cell abnormality determines where dysplasia is classified on the spectrum (mild to severe). When abnormal cells uncontrollably mobilize beyond the cervical tissue barrier they become cervical cancer.
The number-one risk factor for developing cervical cancer is infection with a high-risk strain of HPV, which sets the stage for the cells to get weird.
Normal cells
What You Need To Know Now
Human Papillomavirus
Abnormal Pap
Just like a toothbrush, a good night’s sleep, and a strong wifi connection, you *need* the HPV vaccine. Swipe right on the vaccine, look right for the details.
HPV is an *our* problem, not a *her* problem
Sleep is essential!
Sleep is absolutely essential to the body's cellular health. During sleep — especially deep, slow-wave sleep — the body goes to work to repair damaged cells and DNA, promoting healthy new cell growth, fortifying and strengthening the immune system [25].
So your bestie says they were told they only needed a Pap every 5 years but your mom insists it should be yearly? What’s the deal?
According to the latest guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), females 21-29 should get a Pap test every 3 years and females 30-65 should get a Pap test and HPV test every 5 years (this is called co-testing), with more frequent testing when results are abnormal. These guidelines are based on both large population data and cost-benefit analysis. In layperson’s terms, this means they are general guidelines.
At Tia, we believe that no two patients are the same and so the care we provide is individualized and accounts for the factors that make you *you.* Based on a range of factors from sexual behavior to a history of HPV to lifestyle factors that may weaken your immune system, your Care Provider at Tia may recommend more frequent Pap testing.
No one-size-fits-all solutions
Welcome to the
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Real talk:
Post-Pap testing
When cells get weird (read: abnormal)
Did you know?
There is no exam that tests males for HPV, but they are vectors, meaning they carry and pass the virus. This means vaccinations are key for both males & females!
Heads up.
Pap tests and HPV tests are separate tests, though often conducted at the same time. The vaccine is another way to protect yourself. These 3 are *not* mutually exclusive!
Heads up.
Each time you engage with a new sexual partner (or a partner you are not in a monogamous relationship with) you are at risk for being exposed to a new strain of HPV.
Zooming In On The Cervix
Keep scrolling!
An abnormal Pap does not necessarily mean you have HPV and, if you have HPV, you won’t necessarily get cervical cancer. With screenings, vaccinations, and lifestyle shifts, you have the tools to protect yourself from HPV, abnormal Paps, and cervical cancer!
To clarify:
Not all abnormal cells lead to cancer, but all cancers are abnormal cells.
To clarify:
All cervical cancers were at one time dysplasia, but not all dysplasia becomes cancer.
Want to fact check us? Dig in to our sources!
Heads up.
Abnormal Pap results are on a spectrum. Talk to your provider about where you fall and what kind of follow up testing you need.
Did you know?
Abnormal cells can be removed before they develop into cervical cancer and sometimes the cells will spontaneously revert back to normal on their own.
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People age 25 and under are at peak risk of contracting cancer-causing HPV. Good news, this age group is also most likely to clear the virus!
sexual partners in your lifetime increases your risk of contracting HPV by 6x!
strains of HPV affect humans but most are not dangerous.
are the most dangerous strains. If you have one of these strains you must be diligent.
of squamous cell cancer, the most common type of cervical cancer, is caused by strains 16 + 18.
Low-risk
strains can lead to genital and anal warts.
High-risk
strains can lead to cervical dysplasia and cancer. This includes cervical cancer, anal cancer, throat cancer, and vulvar cancer.
Did you know?
Most HPV is wiped out by a healthy immune system within two years.
Heads up.
HPV is transmitted via intercourse, but also through skin-to-skin contact in the genital region.
It’s a fact:
Did you know?
Females over the age of 40 are the group with the fastest rising rates of STI contraction.
Correlation
The extent of the correlation between high-risk HPV and cervical cancer is greater than that between smoking and lung cancer.
Did you know?
You can get your HPV vaccine at the Tia Clinic. Ready to book? Head to www.asktia.com
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