Treatments are highly successful in preventing precancerous cells from developing into cancer.

The best way to determine if precancerous or cancerous cells are present is with a Pap test.

But, if they appear in certain patterns and are clustered together they may be a sign of precancerous cells or early breast cancer.

The procedure is used to identify precancerous cells, called atypical cells.

"The spots turn into rough areas that peel away in days, with no scarring, and will also help prevent new precancerous cells," she says.

Each year since 1996, Rhonda said, she has undergone two operations to remove precancerous cells.

These are examined in the lab to find precancerous and cancer cells.

Women who get regular Pap smears detect precancerous cells early while it's still easy to treat.

But neither form of retinoic acid reduced the number of precancerous cells.

Shourd's mother has said she had been denied treatment for serious health problems, including a breast lump and precancerous cervical cells.