Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesRisk FactorsLifestyle FactorsFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia GuideCervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: An Overview
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Risk Factors
Lifestyle Factors
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Guide
These non-cancerous lesions are formally referred to as low-grade or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, depending on the seriousness of the changes.
There are more than 100 types of HPV, of which at least 14 are cancer-causing, otherwise categorized as high-risk.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
In most cases, CIN develops after an HPV infection. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that spreads easily from person to person.
Human Papillomavirus Infection
More than three-quarters of all sexually active women are expected to become infected with HPV at some point in their lifetime.
Not everyone who gets HPV will experience CIN, though. Experts say the immune system is well suited to clearing HPV infections without any external intervention.
However, it’s not exactly clear why some people clear the infection and others develop CIN. It’s thought to be a combination of risk factors that can help predict your likelihood of CIN.
Genetics
Certain gene variations have been linked to CIN and cervical cancer. An analysis conducted in 2019 on gene mutations in patients with CIN and patients with cervical cancer detected gene mutations in 52% of the CIN specimens, and 54.8% of these mutations occurred in genes that also mutated in cervical cancers.
Mutated Genes in Cervical CancerMutated genes found in cervical cancer include four genes:FAT1MLL3MLL2FADD
Mutated Genes in Cervical Cancer
Mutated genes found in cervical cancer include four genes:FAT1MLL3MLL2FADD
Mutated genes found in cervical cancer include four genes:
High-Risk HPV StrainsImportantly, high-risk HPV strains in cervical cancers were similarly found in CIN samples. High-risk HPV strains include:HPV16HPV18HPV33HPV58
High-Risk HPV Strains
Importantly, high-risk HPV strains in cervical cancers were similarly found in CIN samples. High-risk HPV strains include:HPV16HPV18HPV33HPV58
Importantly, high-risk HPV strains in cervical cancers were similarly found in CIN samples. High-risk HPV strains include:
Risk factors aren’t considered causes in the same sense that they’re the “reason” why someone develops a certain disease. Rather, risk factors demonstrate your personal risk of developing CIN or HPV based upon specific factors other than genetics.
Age
About 50% of HPV infections occur in girls and women between the ages of 15 and 25.
HIV-Positive Status
The human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, is the virus thatcan lead to AIDS.
Becoming infected with HIV is known as a risk factor for CIN because it weakens your immune system. A compromised immune system will have more difficulty fighting off any HPV infections that could then develop into CIN.
How Is HIV Transmitted?
Taking Immunosuppressants
Some conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, or medical events like organ transplantation, also affect the immune system. In these cases,your immune system may be overreactingand actually attacking healthy cells.
You may be prescribed immunosuppressant medications (oral, injectable, or topical) to calm this process and slow any joint damage, but this also weakens your defenses against other infections, like HPV and HPV-associated disease.
Benefits and Risks of Immunosuppressive Drugs
Lifestyle factors are factors that—with the right support—you have the power to change. The following have all been identified as potential lifestyle factors that contribute to your susceptibility or vulnerability of developing HPV or CIN.
Smoking Cigarettes
The American Cancer Society says that women who smoke are about twice as likely as those who don’t smoke to get cervical cancer.
According to the ACS, researchers believe the toxic substances in tobacco damage the DNA of cervix cells and may contribute to the development of cervical cancer. Smoking is also known to weaken the immune system, making it less effective at fighting HPV infections.
Causes and Risk Factors of Cancer
Sexual Activities
The reason why certain sexual activities are considered lifestyle risk factors is most likely because they increase the chances of exposure to HPV.
Examples include:
Socioeconomic Status
Not having easy or affordable access to health care, including cervical cancer screening with pap tests and HPV tests, can create a very real barrier to people getting screened and detecting CIN in its earlier stages. Without these tests, it’s not possible to know whether or not you have CIN or HPV that can lead to cervical cancer.
STDs in Older Adults
A Word From Verywell
While the main cause of CIN is HPV infection, CIN itself is not a sexually transmitted disease. There are many other risk factors and lifestyle factors that can contribute to your chances of developing abnormal cell growth on your cervix.
If you do develop CIN from HPV, it’s important to know that it’s not your fault. Some people’s immune systems will destroy the issue, and others will not. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your own risk factors.
No, HPV (human papillomavirus) causes an infection that can lead to CIN, but they are not the same.
While you can’t exactly prevent CIN, you can see if you’re eligible for the HPV vaccine, which helps prevent against HPV. The CDC recommends HPV vaccination for all boys and girls at ages 11-12 to protect against HPV-related infections and cancers.
Can You Get HPV From Fingering or Fisting?
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Cleveland Clinic.Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Huang J, Qian Z, Gong Y, et al.Comprehensive genomic variation profiling of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer identifies potential targets for cervical cancer early warning.J Med Genet. 2019;56(3):186-194. doi:10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105745Ge Y, Christensen PA, Luna E, et al.Age-specific 3-year cumulative risk of cervical cancer and high-grade dysplasia on biopsy in 9434 women who underwent HPV cytology co-testing.Cancer Cytopathol. 2019;127(12):757-764. doi:10.1002/cncy.22192UNAIDS.The little-known links between cervical cancer and HIV.Dropulic LK, Lederman HM.Overview of infections in the immunocompromised host.Microbiol Spectrum. 2021;4(4):DMIH2-0026-2016. doi:10.1128/microbiolspecAmerican Cancer Society.Cervical cancer risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine safety.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Cleveland Clinic.Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Huang J, Qian Z, Gong Y, et al.Comprehensive genomic variation profiling of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer identifies potential targets for cervical cancer early warning.J Med Genet. 2019;56(3):186-194. doi:10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105745Ge Y, Christensen PA, Luna E, et al.Age-specific 3-year cumulative risk of cervical cancer and high-grade dysplasia on biopsy in 9434 women who underwent HPV cytology co-testing.Cancer Cytopathol. 2019;127(12):757-764. doi:10.1002/cncy.22192UNAIDS.The little-known links between cervical cancer and HIV.Dropulic LK, Lederman HM.Overview of infections in the immunocompromised host.Microbiol Spectrum. 2021;4(4):DMIH2-0026-2016. doi:10.1128/microbiolspecAmerican Cancer Society.Cervical cancer risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine safety.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Cleveland Clinic.Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Huang J, Qian Z, Gong Y, et al.Comprehensive genomic variation profiling of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer identifies potential targets for cervical cancer early warning.J Med Genet. 2019;56(3):186-194. doi:10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105745Ge Y, Christensen PA, Luna E, et al.Age-specific 3-year cumulative risk of cervical cancer and high-grade dysplasia on biopsy in 9434 women who underwent HPV cytology co-testing.Cancer Cytopathol. 2019;127(12):757-764. doi:10.1002/cncy.22192UNAIDS.The little-known links between cervical cancer and HIV.Dropulic LK, Lederman HM.Overview of infections in the immunocompromised host.Microbiol Spectrum. 2021;4(4):DMIH2-0026-2016. doi:10.1128/microbiolspecAmerican Cancer Society.Cervical cancer risk factors.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine safety.
World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.
Cleveland Clinic.Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).
Huang J, Qian Z, Gong Y, et al.Comprehensive genomic variation profiling of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer identifies potential targets for cervical cancer early warning.J Med Genet. 2019;56(3):186-194. doi:10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105745
Ge Y, Christensen PA, Luna E, et al.Age-specific 3-year cumulative risk of cervical cancer and high-grade dysplasia on biopsy in 9434 women who underwent HPV cytology co-testing.Cancer Cytopathol. 2019;127(12):757-764. doi:10.1002/cncy.22192
UNAIDS.The little-known links between cervical cancer and HIV.
Dropulic LK, Lederman HM.Overview of infections in the immunocompromised host.Microbiol Spectrum. 2021;4(4):DMIH2-0026-2016. doi:10.1128/microbiolspec
American Cancer Society.Cervical cancer risk factors.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine safety.
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