4+ Cervical Cancer Signs And Symptoms

4+ Cervical Cancer Signs And Symptoms

A specific type of virus called human papilloma virus (HPV) causes almost all of the cases of cervical cancer. Your doctor can screen for this virus and precancerous cells, and they can suggest treatments that can prevent cancer from occurring.

In most cases, cervical cancer does not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Routine Pap screening is important to check for abnormal cells in the cervix, so they can be monitored and treated as early as possible. Most women are advised to get a Pap test starting at age 21.

The cervix is the area of a female’s body between her vagina and uterus. When cells in the cervix become abnormal and multiply rapidly, cervical cancer can develop. Cervical cancer can be life-threatening if it goes undetected or untreated.

Although screening methods are not 100 percent accurate, these tests are often an effective method for detecting cervical cancer in the early stages when it is still highly treatable. Talk with your doctor about which type of cervical cancer screening is right for you.

 Causes Cervical Cancer

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by longstanding infection with one of the HPVs. HPV infection is very common, and most people with HPV infection do not develop cancer. There are over 100 types of HPVs, and only certain types have been linked to cancers. 

Other HPV types cause benign warts on the skin or genitals. The so-called "high risk" HPV types have been shown to cause cancers of the cervix as well as cancers of the penis in men. HPVs can also cause cancers of the mouth, throat, and anus in people of both sexes.

HPV infection is spread through sexual contact or skin-to-skin contact. Many studies have shown that HPV infection is common and that a majority of people will be infected with HPV at some point in life. The infection typically resolves on its own. In some women, the HPV infection persists and causes precancerous changes in the cells of the cervix. 

These changes can be detected by regular cervical cancer screening (known as Pap testing). With Pap testing, a superficial sample of cells from the cervix is taken with a brush or swab during a routine pelvic examination and sent to a laboratory for analysis of the cells' appearance.

Other Likely Causes Of Cervical Cancer Are The Following

• Tobacco smoking: smokers and former smokers should know their tobacco habit could roughly double their risk for the disease, per a study in the International Journal of Cancer.  
• HIV infection
• Immune system suppression
• Past or current Chlamydia infection
• Overweight
• Long-term use of oral contraceptives (although the risk returns to normal when the contraceptive pills are discontinued)
• Having three or more full-term pregnancies
• Having a first full-term pregnancy before age 17
• Poverty
• Family history of cervical cancer

 The symptoms and signs of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer may not produce any symptoms or signs. In particular, early stage cervical cancers, like precancerous changes, typically do not produce symptoms. Symptoms may develop when the cervical cancer cells start to invade surrounding tissues.

Symptoms and signs of cervical cancer include:

Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

Unusual vaginal bleeding is the symptom most strongly linked to cervical cancer. This could be bleeding after intercourse or between periods. Vaginal bleeding after menopause

Vaginal bleeding after sex

Bleeding or spotting between periods

      Strange Discharge

 A cloudy, foul-smelling discharge is also a potential red flag . The discharge could also be watery," he adds. Of course, there are many causes of abnormal vaginal discharge that have nothing to do with cancer. So don't freak out. Just talk with your doc.
 

Pain During Sexual Intercourse

·         Pelvic pain: Along with abnormal bleeding, Anderson refers to pelvic pain as "one of the biggies." He says the pain could be diffuse, or it could show up in any area of your pelvis. It could also range from a sharp pain to a dull ache. Especially if the pain is new or doesn't seem related to your menstrual cycle, you'll want to let your doctor know about it, Anderson says.

It is important to note that these symptoms are not specific for cervical cancer and can be caused by a variety of conditions.

Signs Of Advanced Stages Of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer may spread (metastasize) within the pelvis, to the lymph nodes or elsewhere in the body. Signs of advanced cervical cancer include:

• Weight loss
• Fatigue: Anderson says you can add cervical cancer to the long list of health issues that could make you feel fatigued or sluggish. "This isn't the first symptom I'd look for, but it could be present."
• Back pain
• Leg pain or swelling
• Leakage of urine or feces from the vagina
• Bone fractures

·         Changes to bowel movements: Peeing often or feeling like you always have to go are symptoms associated with the disease, Cohen says. So are persistent changes in the quality of your poop. Cohen says the emphasis here and with all of these symptoms, save bleeding is on the word "persistent." He says experiencing these symptoms for less than a week isn't anything to worry about. But if they stick around or become worse, it's time to see someone. 

So There You Are With All The Signs And Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer You Need. You Don’t Need To Be Caught Off Guard.