LeAnn Rimes attends the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 2, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Jason Kempin/Getty Images
LeAnn Rimes is giving fans a vulnerable update after having surgery for cervical dysplasia.
In a lengthy message shared to her Instagram, the 41-year-old country star opened up about how she’s taking her health into her own hands in 2024. “i have to say, this january, has been joyful and easeful,” she began in her post, including two photos of her enjoying the outdoors.
“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 continued. “several months back, i had my annual pap smear, which came back abnormal.”
The “How Do I Live” singer went on to explain that she’s been dealing with abnormal pap results since she was 17 years old, something her doctors have been monitoring through regular exams. After her most recent scan showed that Rimes had high-grade cervical dysplasia, she underwent a LEEP procedure to remove any abnormal, pre-cancerous cells.
According to Mayo Clinic, cervical dysplasia isn’t cancer, but the presence of cells that “look different from typical cervical cells” on the surface of the cervix. It can range from mild to severe, depending on how different the cells look, and can go away on its own or “turn into cancer” over time.
“now, usually you’re not under anaesthesia for this procedure, but i elected to be,” Rimes wrote in her post. “i’ve had enough trauma in my life already, so i prefer to be out and comfortable. that, my friends, is advocating for your overall, mental wellness and comfort and i HIGHLY recommend it!”
“i’ve always been open about my health challenges and this time around is no different,” she added. “so, ladies, please don’t put off getting your annual pap. my men, too… make sure you get your annual physical, minus the pap smear 😂”
Rimes recently closed out 2023 with a holiday tour, which made stops in Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando and more. In November, she released God’s Work (Resurrected), an extended version of her 2022 record God’s Work.
“2023… you were good to me, i was good to you…,” she wrote in a Dec. 30 Instagram post. “but, 2024… it’s ON!”
