Cervical cancer affects young woman more than most other forms of the disease. In fact, in the UK as many as 9 women get diagnosed with cervical cancer every day. 3 of these women will go on to lose their lives to it.
But it can be prevented. Primarily through screening, which is why it’s so important for women from the age of 25 to attend their smear tests when the NHS invites them to. But it can also be prevented from being fatal by early detection. The more we’re aware of the early signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, the more likely we are to go to the doctor about them, giving the cancer less time to progress.
Dr. Jan Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer at MEDIGO, outlines some of the earliest signs of cervical cancer your body might display:
1. Irregular bleeding
“One of the most common and early signs of cervical cancer is irregular bleeding, which can happen between periods or after being intimate. Typically, this symptom begins to occur when the cancer cells grow on the tissue below the cervix. This is an especially alarming sign in postmenopausal women who no longer have periods.”
2. Unusual discharge
“Another warning sign of cervical cancer could be unusual vaginal discharge, as defined by colour, smell or consistency. This happens when the cancer begins to lack oxygen, causing an infection that leads to discharge and a strange smell. While vaginal discharge can be a symptom of many other things, vaginal discharge that persists over a long period of time is definitely worth seeing a GP about.”
3. PainÂ
“Early stages of cervical cancer typically don’t have any symptoms, but pain when being intimate, and bleeding afterwards, could be a sign that the cancer is spreading to the surrounding tissues.”
4. Unusual weight loss
“A loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss can be symptoms of a number of cancers, including cervical cancer. It is a particularly telling sign if weight loss persists, no matter how much food is consumed.”
5. Sore legs
“When cervical cancer grows, it might start to press against the nerves in the lower back, which can lead to leg pain and some swelling. Swelling and pain separately can be a symptom of a number of different conditions, but together they could indicate cervical cancer.”
6. Lower back pain
“Persistent pain in the lower back, pelvis or appendix area can also be a warning sign of cervical cancer, as pains in that region can be associated with reproductive organs. However, this is only a symptom of cervical cancer that has become quite advanced, so is only something to really worry about when it coincides with the above symptoms.”
“It is worth noting that while the above can be warning signs of cervical cancer, they can also be indicative of a number of other health conditions,” adds Dr Jan. “The only way to know for certain if your symptoms could be cervical cancer is to get a smear test, which will detect any cancerous cells.”
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H/T Cosmo UK