As scary as it sounds, women with early cervical cancer and precancers usually don’t experience any symptoms until a precancer develops into a full-blown invasive cancer . Symptoms eventually begin to appear when the cancer grows into nearby tissue and becomes more serious. Routine Pap tests are extremely important in finding and treating cervical cancer and other reproductive cancers like ovarian cancer as early as possible. The Pap test locates abnormal cells in the cervix, which are then monitored and treated if necessary.
Between Pap tests, it’s important to know and watch for these early signs of cervical cancer.
1. Irregular bleeding
The most common symptom of cervical cancer is irregular vaginal bleeding, something many women tend to shrug off. Irregular bleeding may occur between menstrual periods or after sex. It may be disguised as spotting, which appears as a light, blood-streaked discharge. Menstrual bleeding may also become heavier and last longer than usual. An important warning sign of cervical cancer or other problems is vaginal bleeding in postmenopausal women who no longer have periods.
2. Unusual vaginal discharge
There are several types of vaginal discharge that can be an early sign of cervical cancer. A continuous discharge with any of the following characteristics may be a warning sign:
- Pale
- Aqueous
- Brown
- With bad smell
- Stained with blood
3. Pelvic Pain
Experiencing pain during intercourse or at other times can be a warning sign for cervical cancer. It could be a sign of abnormal changes in the cervix. Cervical cancer can spread within the pelvis.
Signs of advanced stages of cervical cancer
The above signs of cervical cancer are often missed because many women don’t know to look for them. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it may be a sign of advanced cervical cancer:
- Back or pelvic pain
- Difficulty going to the bathroom due to obstruction
- Swelling in one or both legs
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
What puts you at risk?
Knowing and being aware of the early warning signs of cervical cancer is the first step to catching it before it can spread and become more dangerous. The following are factors that may put you at greater risk of developing the disease:
- Having many sexual partners
- Having sex for the first time at an early age
- Having sex with a man whose partner had cervical cancer
- Smoke
- A compromised immune system
- That the mother used diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy
The American Cancer Society warns that the above signs and symptoms may be caused by conditions other than cervical cancer, such as an infection leading to pain or bleeding. But if you are experiencing any of these problems, make an appointment with your healthcare provider immediately. Even if it’s an infection, it will still need to be treated. When something isn’t right, your body has certain ways of telling you there’s a problem, so don’t ignore anything that’s out of the ordinary. Getting regular Pap tests will help you catch cancer cells early, before they have a chance to spread
