LeAnn Rimes Opens Up About Her Surgical Removal of Cervical Precancerous Cells

Over the weekend, singer LeAnn Rimes announced in an Instagram post that she had “minor surgery” to remove precancerous cells after her yearly pap test came back abnormal.

The 41-year-old posted two photos of herself in a wooded spot, relaxing in the sun. In her description, LeAnn stated, “January is generally a difficult month for me. Over the last few years, I’ve either had oral surgery or been healing from a voice hemorrhage around this time, which has been fairly dismal.” This year, however, she described the month as “joyful and easeful” for her.

“However, yesterday, I underwent a minor surgery and I wanted to share what I went in for because I think it’s an important reminder to get our annual screenings in order to catch changes that may be taking place within the body early on,” she said in her post.

The “How Do I Live” singer stated that a few months ago she had her yearly pap smear, and the findings were abnormal. “In fact, I’ve had abnormal paps since I was 17 and through regular pap smears and colposcopies, my doctors have been keeping an eye on any cellular changes,” she went on to say.

According to Columbia University Irving Medical Center, an abnormal pap smear can be caused by malignant cells, cervical and vaginal abnormalities, precancerous cells, inflammation from yeast infections, germs, or even pregnancy.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the lab testing of LeAnn’s pap smear sample and a colposcopy (a procedure to inspect the vagina and cervix) resulted in her being diagnosed with high-grade cervical dysplasia, a precancerous disease in which abnormal cells are identified on the cervix.

Following the diagnosis, the two-time Grammy Award winner stated that she spoke with her doctor, and they “jointly decided that a LEEP procedure would be in [LeAnn’s] best interest in order to remove the high grade, abnormal, pre-cancerous cells.” LEEP, or loop electrosurgical excision treatment, “uses a wire loop heated by electric current” to burn out the aberrant cells and tissue located on the cervix, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

The treatment is often performed while the patient is conscious; however, the singer stated that she chose to be placed under anesthesia. “I’ve already been through enough stress in my life, so I’d rather be out and comfortable. That, my friends, is advocating for your whole mental health and comfort, and I wholeheartedly endorse it!” she said.

LeAnn also stated that she “has always been open about my health challenges,” ranging from psoriasis to voice rest to mental health, and that “this time around is no different.” Now, she’s utilizing her public position to promote “women’s wellness and the importance of annual screenings and early detection.”

LeAnn went on to share a profound yet funny health message with everyone. “So, women, please don’t postpone getting your yearly pap. My males, too. Make sure you have your yearly physical, excluding the pap smear ????,” she said, before emphasizing that in the early stages of cervical cancer, there are frequently no signs. “…annual screenings and early detection can be lifesaving.”

Cervical cancer begins in the cervix (the lower portion of the uterus) and is mostly caused by particular kinds of human papillomavirus (HPV), according to the Centers for Disease Control. According to the CDC, anybody with a cervix over the age of 30 is at risk of developing this form of cancer.

“The more shares and conversations we have around women’s wellness, the more we take the ewww factor out of talking about vaginas and put the power back in our hands, to be able to take the best care of our bodies that we can.”