Folic Acid Clinical Trial for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Received care at the Health Departments in Alabama and with an abnormal pap result, including any of the following: * Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) * ASCUS, cannot exclude high-grade lesion (ASCUS-H) * Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion * High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion * Referred to University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Highlands Clinic for further colposcopic examination by Ob/Gyn physicians * Tested positive for human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 and diagnosed with ≤ cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 lesions at the 0-month visit * With or without concurrent infections with other HR (High Risk) HPV types (HPV 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68) * Not diagnosed with true preneoplastic lesions of the cervix based on a colposcopically directed biopsy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Not pregnant * Willing to take study pills, keep scheduled follow-up study visits, or communicate with study personnel about changes in contact information during the study period * No prior diagnosis or treatment for colon polyps or breast lumps PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * No prior treatment for cervical cancer or precancerous condition * No prior surgeries involving the cervix * No concurrent antifolate medications such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine or phenytoin * No concurrent or planned consumption of 400 μg or more of a folic acid supplement on a regular basis * Not involved in any …