CLINICAL SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF CERVICAL CANCER

In the early stages of cervical cancer, a person may experience no symptoms at all. As a result of this, it is important that women have regular cervical smear tests, or Pap tests.

In women with advanced and metastatic cancers, the symptoms may be more severe depending on the tissues and organs to which the disease has spread. The cause of a symptom may be a different medical condition that is not cancer, which is why women need to seek medical care if they have a new symptom that does not go away. The most common symptoms are:

Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

The most common cervical cancer symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding, which typically occurs after the cancer has spread to nearby tissue. Although women often think bleeding is normal spotting, it's important to see a doctor if you experience:

• Bleeding between menstrual periods
• Heavier menstrual periods
• Longer menstrual periods
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Bleeding after menopause
• Bleeding after a pelvic exam
• Bleeding resulting in anemia-causing fatigue, dizziness

Vaginal Discharge, Foul Smelling

If cervical cancer lacks oxygen, some cells may die off, infecting the tumor. The infection creates a foul smelling vaginal discharge, which serves as another sign of cervical cancer. This continuous discharge may be pale, watery, brown, or mixed with blood.

Pain During Sexual Intercourse

Women with advanced cervical cancer may experience pain during sexual intercourse because of tumor growth throughout tissues and reproductive organs.

Low Back, Pelvic or Appendix Pain

Low back pain or pelvic pain can be linked to problems with reproductive organs, such as the cervix. A sign of cervical cancer is pelvic pain, especially continuous pain. Pelvic pain near the appendix doesn't usually occur unless the cancer is in advanced stages. There will usually be other cervical cancer red flags before pelvic pain occurs.

Leg Pain

As the cancer grows and becomes more advanced, it may start to press against nerves in the pelvic wall, resulting in leg pain and sometimes swelling. While swelling could be a symptom of a number of medical problems, if accompanied by leg pain, this could be a warning sign of cervical cancer.

Loss of Appetite or Unexplained Weight Loss

As with many other cancers, a sign of cervical cancer is unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite. Sometimes, regardless of how much food is consumed, weight loss continues to be a problem for women with cervical cancer.

These signs and symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than cervical cancer. For example, an infection can cause pain or bleeding. Still, if any of these symptoms continues, it is advisable to see a medical practitioner (doctor). Ignoring symptoms may allow the cancer to grow to a more advanced stage and lower your chance for effective treatment.