Symptoms are common in women with cervical cancer or pre-cancer. Often, the symptoms of cervical cancer do not begin until the cancer has grown and grown into nearby tissue.
When diagnosed early, cervical cancer can be successfully treated and often cured. Therefore, in addition to regular Pap smears for screening, a woman should learn to recognize possible warning signs and thus pay attention to doctors and specialists.
The most common symptoms of cervical cancer are:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after intercourse, bleeding after menopause, bleeding between periods, spotting, and (periods) that are longer or heavier than usual. Bleeding may occur after washing.
Abnormal vaginal discharge that may contain a little blood and/or appear between periods or after menopause.
Pain during sex
Pain in the pelvic region
There are five other important warning signs of cervical cancer that very few women see as signs of cancer. These warning signs are:
Itching and burning sensation in the vagina
Lower back or abdominal pain
Unexplained fatigue
Frequent or urgent urination
Abdominal bloating
Some of the symptoms seen in more advanced disease include:
Swelling of the feet
Problems with urination and bowel movements
Blood in the urine
The key to early detection of cervical cancer is for every woman to get to know her body and know what is normal for her. Also, while it may be tempting to search the Internet for information about cervical cancer symptoms, it is important to be careful and note that there is a lot of misinformation out there. If something unusual happens, it’s best to see a trusted, qualified medical professional who can provide individualized advice and guidance.