Cervical Cancer Symptoms Women Need to Observe

For early screening and detection of cervical cancer, women should look out for a number of cervical cancer signs and symptoms:

1. Abnormal pain or bleeding: Irregular bleeding is considered the most common symptom in women with cervical cancer. Bleeding or pain may occur between menstrual periods, after sexual intercourse, or in postmenopausal women. It is recommended that you visit a doctor immediately if you experience abnormal pain or bleeding. Minor bleeding irregularities can be easy to ignore in younger women. It is always important to advise your doctor if you experience vaginal bleeding after sex or between periods.

2. Abnormal discharge: An unusual discharge from the vagina is another serious sign of cervical cancer. When cancer starts to grow in the cervix, the uterine wall cells begin to produce a watery discharge. It is possible that the discharge may look yellowish, pale, or brownish, and it may contain some blood. It may also occur after menopause and between your menstrual periods. It is also a good idea to contact your doctor immediately when an abnormal discharge is noticed.

3. Urination discomfort: Problems or discomfort with urinating is often a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Women have a high risk of urinary tract infections, and 50% experience repeat infections that sometimes occur every year. However, in other cases, urination discomfort is a sign that cervical cancer has spread to the bladder. A hint of blood may also be seen in the urine. This is a clear warning sign of cervical cancer, and your doctor should be informed immediately.

4. Genital warts: Small genital warts can be considered a red warning flag for HPV, which can significantly increase the risk of cervical cancer in women. There are many different types of HPV, but HPV-6 and HPV-11 are known to cause 90% of every form of genital warts.

5. Unusually heavy and long menstrual periods: Women with cervical cancer and irritation of the cervix will also have abnormally long and heavy menstrual periods.

6. Lack of urinary control: When the cervix swells, the bladder and kidneys may be compressed. As a result, urine flow is obstructed and you may not be able to control your bladder. Women with cervical cancer will have that sudden urge to urinate. As mentioned, patients with cervical cancer will also see blood in the urine.

7. Pain during sex: Sexual intercourse should always be an enjoyable experience. Many of the cervical cancer signs and symptoms often point to something possibly less serious; however, pain during sex is considered a symptom during the late stages of cervical cancer.

8. Anemia: Feeling constantly fatigued and weak is often a sign of anemia. Your heart rate may also increase from your normal activities. You may also experience other common symptoms of anemia, such as shortness of breath after mild exertion, headaches, dizziness or fainting, concentrating problems, cold extremities, frequent colds, and pale skin, lips, and nails. Anemia is a common symptom of abnormal bleeding, which is also a cause of cervical cancer.

9. Weight loss: Weight loss is a typical goal of obese or overweight individuals trying to maintain a healthy weight. On the other hand, unexpected and sudden weight loss can be a sign that the body is fighting off disease. Many cancers are known to suppress or lower your appetite. When the cervix swells, the stomach is compressed. As a result, the person will experience weight loss and a reduced appetite.

10. Constant pain in the back, hips, and legs: The swelling of the cervix will also compress the internal organs and the blood vessels. As a result, it is difficult for blood to flow to the legs and pelvis. The person will then experience body swelling and pain in the pelvis, legs, ankles, hips, or back.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a disease where cancerous cells form on the cervix. The lowest part and opening of the uterus. The cervix connects the vagina and the uterus. Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time. Before cancer appears in the cervix, the cells of the cervix go through a series of changes in which cells that are not normal begin to appear in the cervical tissue. When cells change from being normal cells to abnormal cells, it is called dysplasia. The abnormal cervical cells may go away without treatment, stay the same, or turn into cancer cells over many years.

What puts me at risk for Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that is spread through sexual contact. There are more than 80 types of human papillomavirus and about 30 of these can infect the cervix. HPV types 16 and 18 are most often linked to cervical cancer.          

Most of the time, the body’s immune system can fight the HPV infection before cancer forms. Only a very small number of women infected with HPV develop cervical cancer.

In women who are infected with HPV, other risk factors add to the increased risk of cervical cancer:

Giving birth to many children

Among women who are infected with HPV, those who have had 7 or more full-term pregnancies have an increased risk of cervical cancer.

Using oral contraceptives for a long time

Among women who are infected with HPV, those who have used oral contraceptives (“the Pill”) for 5 to 9 years have a risk of cervical cancer that is 3 times greater than that of women who have never used oral contraceptives. The risk is 4 times greater after 10 or more years of use. In women who stop taking oral contraceptives, over a 10 year period, the risk of cervical cancer returns to that of women who never used oral contraceptives.

Smoking cigarettes

Among women who are infected with HPV, those who either smoke cigarettes or breathe in secondhand smoke have an increased risk of cervical cancer. The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and how long the woman has smoked. Current and former smokers have 2 to 3 times the risk of cervical dysplasia and invasive cervical cancer.

The following increase the risk of HPV infection:

Having a weakened immune system

Having a weakened immune system caused by immunosuppression increases the risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer. Immunosuppression weakens the body’s ability to fight infection and other diseases.

Women who are infected with the HIV virus or who take medicine to prevent organ rejection after transplant are less able to fight HPV infection and are at increased risk of cervical cancer.

Being sexually active at a young age or having many sexual partners

The risk of HPV infection is higher in women who become sexually active before age 18 and in women who have had 6 or more sexual partners.

What can I do to protect myself from getting cervical cancer?

Get a Pap Test

It is very important to have a yearly exam with your gynecologist. A common procedure at your yearly is a pap test.

What is a pap?

A pap test or pap smear is a very simple swab that collects a sample of cells from the cervix. That sample is then sent to a lab and examined. Should any abnormal cells be detected, further testing can be done to determine how to move forward with treatment.

Avoiding sexual activity

Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV infection, which is spread through sexual activity. Women who are not sexually active have almost no risk of cervical cancer.

Getting an HPV vaccine

Vaccines that protect against HPV infection greatly reduce the risk of cervical cancer. These vaccines do not protect women who are already infected with HPV.

Using barrier protection during sexual activity

Some methods used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) decrease the risk of HPV infection. The use of a barrier method of birth control, such as a condom, helps protect against HPV infection.

In conclusion, cervical cancer is preventable and early detection is the key. It’s important to know your body inside and out. To do this, keep up with your yearly GYN visits. It is so easy and can truly save your life!