What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer can be difficult if not impossible for a woman to detect on her own during the early stages of the cancer. In fact, the abnormal cell changes that occur during these early stages do not usually cause many symptoms, so it is very important that women schedule regular gynecological exams to catch any abnormal cell development before it leads to cancer. There are some early and some more advanced symptoms that cervical cancer can cause, though.
Initial Symptoms
Some of the earlier symptoms that can be caused by cervical cancer include bleeding when something comes into contact with the irritated cervix. This can mean bleeding as a result of sexual contact or the insertion of a diaphragm, for instance. Women who experience pain during sex may also wish to have their symptoms investigated. Another symptom that usually occurs during the earlier stages of cervical cancer is an abnormal discharge from the vagina, including traces of blood in the mucous.
Advanced Symptoms
As the disease progresses, more symptoms may occur as a result of the cancer. These progressive symptoms can include anemia. The anemia is due to the loss of blood through vaginal bleeding. Women with more advanced cervical cancers may also experience pain in their pelvis, leg, or lower back for prolonged periods of time.
Women may also experience urinary problems as a result of the advancing cancer. There may be a leakage of urine or fecal matter in some women because of an abnormal opening in the vagina and the bladder or rectum that may occur as the cancer progresses. Women with cervical cancer may also experience changes in appetite or weight loss.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, whether they are early or advanced, you should contact your doctor or gynecologist and schedule an appointment immediately. The sooner as a patient you pursue treatment, the more likely you are to have a recovery and maintain reproductive health. This is especially important for younger women who do not have any children but are planning to have a family, because preserving fertility is something to consider during treatments for cervical cancer.
Cervical Health
What It Is
Causes
Symptoms
How It develops
Risks
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Medications
Surgery
Radiation
