Signs of Cervical Cancer Every Woman Should Know
Cervical cancer is a cancer arising from the cervix. It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body.
The early stages of cervical cancer may be completely free of symptoms. Infection with some types of HPV is the greatest risk factor for cervical cancer, followed by smoking.
1. Uncomfortable Sex
If you begin to have pain during intercourse (the technical term is dyspareunia) this is sometimes a sign of cervical cancer. There are other causes for painful sex, but you should have your doctor rule out cervical cancer before they look at other possible causes.
2. Back Pain
This is another symptom many women ignore because it often accompanies the onset of the menstrual cycle and although back pain can happen for a wide variety of reasons (carrying around a toddler, for example) if you experience back pain that you can’t explain, or it accompanies other symptoms on this list, or if you are in a high risk group, then see your doctor.
3. Weight Loss and Fatigue
These symptoms can be due to many other reasons, but again, in combination with other symptoms, or if your doctor has looked at other reasons and can’t find a reason for unexplained weight loss and extreme fatigue, be certain that you are checked for cervical cancer.
4. Unusual Bleeding
Of all the symptoms we are going to list, this is perhaps the most common. If you have bleeding in-between your menstrual cycles or if you experience bleeding after having sex, this could be a sign of cervical cancer. Women who are postmenopausal and no longer have periods should really pay attention to this sign and see their physician right away.
5. Pain When Urinating
If you feel pain or a stinging sensation, or tightness when urinating, this could be a sign of cervical cancer. Women who have had this type of cancer describe it in different words, but generally speaking, they all describe some type of abnormal discomfort when urinating. This usually means that the cancer has spread to nearby tissue and this requires immediate attention.