When left to persist without any treatment over many years, high-risk HPV can cause abnormal cell changes in the cervix that can lead to cervical precancer (i.e., cervical dysplasia) and cancer. If your provider suspects a high-risk HPV infection may be persisting in your body, they may refer you for a colposcopy, during which a doctor will look more closely at your cervix and possibly take a small sample.
The results of this colposcopy can determine whether any cell changes in your cervix are considered moderate to severe precancerous changes. These are classified using a Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) grade, depending on the severity of cell changes observed. CIN2 and CIN3 are both high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), and are considered moderate to severe precancerous changes.
When HPV persists untreated, it takes about 5-10 years for HPV-infected cervical cells to develop into precancers, and around 10 years for precancers to develop into cervical cancer. However, when cervical cell changes are identified early, they can be more easily treated, and cervical cancer can be prevented entirely. This is why screening routinely and engaging in recommended follow-up care are so important, as this can help prevent cervical precancers from progressing into cancer.
