Signs And Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer

The cervix is the portion of the uterus that connects it to the vagina. Cervical cancer, which occurs in this area when a cell mutates, is a serious form of cancer that affects women. The DNA mutation that causes this type of cancer will compromise the cervical cell’s division, growth, and death. Certain human papillomavirus (HPV) strains have been known to cause these mutations. Unfortunately, HPV is quite common for women to experience.

The simplest method of preventing cervical cancer from developing and getting severe is for women to receive an annual pap smear. This will allow their doctor to catch abnormalities early. Catching cervical cancer early is vital for women to receive effective treatment.

As this type of cancer progresses, the treatments get more invasive. They will also have lasting consequences. Traditional cervical cancer cures include chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, patients may be facing serious surgeries for cervical cancer too. These cervical cancer treatments include conization, hysterectomy, and pelvic externation. The last two are used when cervical cancer has spread.

Bleeding Following A Pelvic Exam

Women need to have a pelvic exam regularly. This is to ensure their doctor can catch any potential issues early. Normally, a pelvic exam does not cause much bleeding, if any at all. However, cervical cancer can cause bleeding following a pelvic exam. This is because of irritation to the cervix that results in the walls being dry, cracked, or otherwise inflamed. Any disturbance to this area, including a simple pelvic exam that takes a cervical swab, can trigger some bleeding. This is because the swab can open up the dried cracks in the cervical walls. Pelvic ultrasounds may also cause bleeding if a woman is suffering from cervical cancer.

Get more information on symptoms linked to cervical cancer now.

Menstrual Cycle Changes

It is difficult to determine exactly what a normal menstrual cycle should look like. Many reports indicate that a woman’s menstrual cycle should last for a total of 28 days, with approximately 5 of those days being when bleeding occurs. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some women experience cycles of 25 or 26 days, and their bleeding may only last for 4 days. Other women even deal with spotting. However, all women must note that menstrual cycle changes are a serious warning sign of cervical cancer.

A cycle that lasts for longer than what it normally does is one change that can indicate cervical cancer, as it can mean the cervix is damaged. Early menstrual bleeding may also mean the cervix is irritated. This can signify a tumor. A woman should visit her doctor if she experiences changes in her menstrual cycle that last for more than 3 months. Even if these changes turn out to not be cervical cancer, there may still be a health issue and it is far better for women to get themselves checked out.

Uncover details on more changes that can indicate a woman has cervical cancer next.

Changes To Vaginal Discharge

Many women experience some form of vaginal discharge. Doctors consider some vaginal discharge during ovulation or shortly before an expected period normally. However, women still need to pay attention to what is normal for them to experience. This is vital because while some women will experience discharge during ovulation, others will not, and both can be normal.

Women should note if they experience more discharge than before. They should also consider the appearance and smell of their discharge. Abnormal discharge can be brown with red tints, white, or even clear. It may also seem watery or smell quite awful. Changes in this for women will require a visit to the doctor. The doctor can evaluate the patient and determine if there are signs of abnormal cell growth and cervical cancer.

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Irregular Bleeding

A serious warning sign associated with invasive cervical cancer, especially in later stages, is irregular bleeding. This may occur between periods, after menopause, and even following intercourse. Unfortunately, countless women can dismiss this as simply spotting, which is common for many women during their menstrual cycles. This is yet another reason why women need to pay attention to their bodies. They need to know exactly what is considered normal for them and report any changes in this to their doctor. Reporting irregular bleeding is even more vital when the woman no longer experiences regular menstrual cycles.

Get the full details on what symptom of a UTI may also be a sign of cervical cancer next.

Pain During Urination

Pain during urination is often mistaken for a urinary tract infection. While it is true that this is indeed a symptom of a urinary tract infection, painful urination is still not something to be ignored. When cervical cancer is the cause of this pain, it is often due to damage in the cervix or the presence of a tumor. This alters the flow of urine and also makes the cervix more sensitive than normal. Even if the urine itself is not what triggers the pain, women still use muscles while they are peeing. The use of these muscles can make the process quite painful when the cervix is sensitive.

Women experiencing painful urination should talk to their doctor. Although it is more likely to be a urinary tract infection or yeast infection, getting an accurate diagnosis is vital to ensure women receive appropriate treatment. If the wrong treatment is used, there can be serious side effects.

Discover how another source of pain can be a warning sign of cervical cancer next.

Back Pain

Women with cervical cancer may also experience intense back pain. This occurs when their cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes in the pelvis. Cervical cancer in the pelvic lymph nodes causes them to press on the renal collecting system. A cervical tumor may also press on this area. This will compromise the flow of urine from the body and result in a build-up in the kidneys after blood has been filtered from the urine. The urine cannot drain from here, which triggers kidney swelling and inflammation. The kidneys can then put pressure on nearby nerves, muscles, and other structures. This pressure causes intense back pain.

Uncover information on what symptom of cervical cancer affects the legs next.

Leg Swelling And Pain

Women who are suffering from later stages of cervical cancer may deal with significant leg pain and swelling in their legs. These warning signs are the result of the tumor in the cervix growing or metastasizing into the nearby lymph nodes and tissue. The tumor and lymph nodes, when left unchecked, compress tissues that may then put pressure on veins and arteries. This includes the femoral artery, which is the main one that allows oxygen-rich blood to flow into the feet and legs. If this artery is compressed, the legs cannot get the oxygen they need. The pain that occurs as a result of insufficient oxygen is linked to dying tissue in the legs.

Swelling occurs in the legs if a cervical tumor compresses the iliac vein. This vein is the one that returns oxygen-poor blood to the heart. When the blood cannot be pushed back up the legs and into the heart, it will pool in the legs, triggering swelling.

Get the full details on a classic cancer symptom and how it appears in cervical cancer next.

Loss Of Appetite

All types of cancer, including cervical cancer, can result in a loss of appetite. In some cases, a loss of appetite is a side effect of cancer treatment. Other factors include a lack of energy for eating, reduced physical activity, dehydration, feeling full faster, and even changes in the patient's sense of smell and taste. Even the simple feeling of being unwell can cause women with cervical cancer to lose their appetite. This is similar to women experiencing painful cramps during their menstrual cycle and not wanting to eat food while dealing with this pain.

Continue reading to reveal how a loss of appetite causes the next cervical cancer symptom.

Weight Loss

When women affected by cervical cancer experience a loss of appetite, the number of calories they consume goes down. Thus, their body is going to end up burning off more calories than what they are consuming. As a result, their body is not getting enough nutrients from food. This forces it to take stored nutrients for cells to be able to produce the energy needed to function. When fat cells are used up for this process, the patient will begin to lose weight.

Additionally, it should be noted that cancerous cells will use nutrients that healthy cells need, even though they are harmful to the body. They use energy at a faster rate because they are cancerous, which causes more weight loss. Thus, even when women do consume food, the cancerous cells take the nutrients first, leaving very little for healthy cells.