Epithelial cell abnormality is a condition where cells do not grow correctly and can develop into cancer if not treated early. This can occur to epithelial cells in the cervix when a woman is exposed to certain strains of HPV, and it is one of the main causes of cervical cancer.
What are epithelial cells?
There are three different types of epithelial cells found all over the body – squamous, cuboidal, and columnar. Each of these types of cells can be found layered together in simple or stratified layers, depending on their specific function and location in the body. Epithelial cells are a type of tissue that protects the outside of organs and blood vessels, as well as the insides of some organs as well. Squamous cells are the type of epithelial cells that are found inside the cervix.
What causes the abnormalities in these cells?
In most cases, epithelial cell abnormality (ECA) is caused by the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This is a virus that is mostly sexually transmitted, but some strains can also be transmitted by skin to skin contact. Certain strains of this virus are known to cause cervical cancer, by affecting the growth and development of the epithelial cells. The cells tend to mutate and grow faster than normal, leading to tumors. The existence of these abnormal cells is also referred to as “cervical dysplasia“. Although mild cases can sometimes resolve themselves, sometimes it develops into a condition that requires medical intervention to remove the cell abnormalities. The immune system has the ability to successfully fight most forms of HPV on its own, but in some cases the virus stays in the body, giving it enough time to successfully affect the growth of cells that can cause cervical dysplasia.
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There are also other possible causes of cell abnormality in the cervix including exposure to other sexually transmitted infections, although these are less common.
How can I tell if I have abnormal epithelial cells?
Most people will be unaware of any epithelial cell abnormality in their cervix – it does not initially present with any physical symptoms that you might feel or see. It may only be later when the abnormal cells have mutated into cancer that it might become obvious that there is a problem. Because of this, a pap smear is the most common way to test for the presence of any epithelial cell abnormalities in your cervix and should be done regularly. A small sample of cells is removed from the cervix wall and then checked to determine the presence of cancerous or pre-cancerous cells. This test should be completed at least every three years for women between the ages of 21 and 65 so that any presence of abnormal cell growth can be noted and treated where necessary before it progressed to later stages of cancer.
Can it be prevented?
The presence of abnormal cells does not automatically mean that they are pre-cancerous or cancerous. In some situations, cell abnormalities are completely harmless. If your pap smear comes back with an “abnormal” result (indicating cervical dysplasia), your doctor may simply encourage you to get pap smears more frequently to make sure that the abnormalities do not become harmful. Epithelial cell abnormalities can take at least 10 yearsto become cancerous, which is why it is important to get tested regularly, even if you do not think you have been recently exposed to HPV.
With a little care, you can greatly reduce your risk of contracting HPV and subsequent cervical dysplasia. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure that you are vaccinated.
Even if you have been vaccinated, it is still important to use appropriate protection when engaging in sexual activity with others, such as condoms and dental dams. Because HPV is transmitted via skin to skin contact, protection should be used at all times, not just for intercourse. People who appear asymptomatic may still be carrying the virus and not know it, so it is important to exercise caution with all partners.
Statistically speaking, most sexually active adults will contract HPV at some point in their lives. Approximately 80% of people will become infected with at least one strain of HPV. This does not necessarily mean that it will lead to epithelial cell abnormality, though. Strong immune systems can be capable of fighting off the virus quickly and efficiently before it has the opportunity to affect epithelial cell growth. One of the best ways to ensure a healthy immune system is to provide it with the right nutrients from a healthy diet, exercising frequently, and getting adequate sleep to ensure that your body has the strength and energy it needs to fight off unwanted viruses and infections.
Taking appropriate Papillex is another great way to boost your immune system, in order to make sure it functions as efficiently as possible. Papillex is an example of a supplement that is specifically designed to aid the body in responding to HPV and preventing epithelial cell abnormalities transforming into cancer. It is comprised of a range of nutrients including:
- Lycopene
- Carotenoids
- Broccoli sprout extract
- Vitamin B9 folate
- Vitamin C
- Camelia Sinensis
- Vitamin E
- Selenium
- Astragalus
- Ganoderma Lucidum
Papillex can be taken by those who have HPV and want to speed up their immune response to the virus in order to prevent potential cervical dysplasia, but it can also be taken as a preventative measure. Because HPV is so common, it is understandable to want to be prepared for a possible infection, and Papillex can help. The nutrients that this supplement offers can help to prepare your immune system for HPV, but it can also provide general benefits for other health conditions as well, giving you even more reason to consider it.