Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons promotes the progression of low‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: A population‐based cohort study in China

Low‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1) is an early stage of cervical cancer development. Previously, we reported that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) increases the risk of cervical precancerous lesions, especially in females with a high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) infection. However, the effects of PAHs on CIN1 progression remain unclear. A community‐based prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the role of exposure to PAHs in the progression of CIN1. A total of 564 patients diagnosed with CIN1 were followed‐up at 6, 12, and 24 months, post‐diagnosis, to determine CIN1 reversion, persistence, and progression. Exposure to PAHs was determined by the urine 1‐hydroxipayrene (1‐OHP) level. Our results showed that the 1‐OHP level was significantly higher in patients with CIN1 persistence/progression than in those with reversion (P