Even if your CIN 1 has turned to CIN 2, you’re still not near the cancer danger zone sitting at CIN 2.

This is because if we skip a step in the progression, meaning, look at the progression of CIN 3 to cervical cancer, we’re still looking at quite a bit of time.

When a woman learns that her Pap smear shows CIN 1 (low grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia), this is alarming news to many once they know that CIN 1 is the first stage of a transformation process that has the potential to culminate in cervical cancer.

Some women will opt for the wait-and-see approach when they’re diagnosed with CIN 1, since surgical removal of the abnormal tissue isn’t exactly a picnic.

In fact, the standard recommendation is simply a follow-up Pap smear several months later.

It’s during that wait-and-see period that they fear that CIN 1 will turn into cancer, even though the follow-up Pap may be scheduled for only six months out.

“Most CIN 1 and 2 will resolve spontaneously (75%),” says Julian Schink, MD, Chief of Gynecologic Oncology, Cancer Treatment Centers of America; Medical Director of Gynecologic and Medical Oncology, Midwestern Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Schink adds, “Some will progress to CIN 3 or cancer, but it takes many years. The median age of CIN 3 is 34 y/o, and the median age of cervical cancer is 44 y/o, suggesting that on average it takes 10 years for that last step (with a range of 4-20).”

If you’re still petrified over being diagnosed with CIN 2 or even CIN 1 and don’t think you can tolerate a wait-and-see approach for a follow-up Pap smear, you should discuss treatment options with your gynecologist.

For more information on cervical cancer screening or treatment, contact Cancer Treatment Centers of America at (844) 632-7188. cin 1, 2
dr. schink
With 25+ years of experience, and board certified in gynecologic oncology and OB/GYN, Dr. Schink is dedicated to caring for patients and advancing treatments for gynecologic malignancies. His surgery and chemotherapy treatments include those for ovarian, cervical and uterine cancer. 
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer. 
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Top image: Shutterstock/ANN PATCHANAN