It is a disease that kills hundreds of thousands of women worldwide every year.
Still, awareness of cervical cancer symptoms remains low, say charities.
The disease itself, which is caused by HPV in 99 percent of cases, kills thousands of people in the UK and US every year.
To celebrate Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, MailOnline looked at the well-known and lesser-known symptoms to look out for.
Cervical cancer symptoms to look out for include unusual vaginal bleeding, pain during sex, and low back or pelvic pain
Floating buttocks, hearing voices and excessive sweating: six of the strangest cancer symptoms revealed
Loose stools, hearing voices, changes in fingernail color, sweating, clumsiness, and a loss of interest in hobbies are some of the strange signs that tumors give off. Many of these symptoms are extremely common and can be caused by many different medical conditions
Unusual vaginal bleeding
Lisa Jacques, senior cancer nurse at online cancer resource Perci Health, said unusual vaginal bleeding is an important sign to watch out for.
If you have regular periods, an example of unusual bleeding could be bleeding between periods, she said.
Other unusual vaginal bleeding can include heavy bleeding, bleeding during or after sex, or bleeding that causes fatigue and dizziness.
Ms Jacques said another warning sign could be bleeding after menopause sets in and you stop menstruating.
Abnormal bleeding can occur when the cancer has spread to nearby tissues.
However, there are many reasons why you may have unusual bleeding and it may not be cancer.
Other possible causes include a hormonal imbalance such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), structural abnormalities in your uterus such as polyps or uterine fibroids, sexually transmitted diseases, or a number of other health conditions.
You should see your doctor if you have any unusual bleeding.
Changes in your vaginal discharge
Although vaginal discharge is normal, a change in color, thickness and smell can indicate the disease.
The NHS says healthy vaginal discharge is clear or white, thick and sticky, smooth and wet, and does not have a strong or unpleasant smell.
But foul-smelling and pink, brown or bloody discharge can be a sign of cervical cancer, Ms Jacques said.
The color change may be a sign of blood in the discharge, and the odor may be due to an infection.
Sometimes the discharge may contain bits of tissue due to infection of the tumors.
However, this colored discharge does not mean that you have cancer, as it can appear just before menstruation, during ovulation or during pregnancy.
And a foul smell can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis instead.
Ms Jacques said another common symptom of cervical cancer is pain or discomfort during sex
pain or discomfort during sex
Ms Jacques said another common symptom of cervical cancer is pain or discomfort during sex.
According to Flo, a period tracking company, this pain can be felt in a number of ways. such as sharp, stabbing, burning or cramping.
It is claimed that if intercourse is painful and orgasm can be difficult, you may also have low libido.
However, pain during sex can indicate a variety of health issues, such as: B. an infection, menopause, genital irritation or allergy to soap or condoms, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome or uterine fibroids.
back or pelvic pain
Back pain and pain between the hip bones (pelvis) are common during menstruation.
But they can also be a sign of cervical cancer “when there is no obvious cause,” says Ms. Jacques.
The pain is often caused by a tumor pressing on bones, nerves or organs.
The NHS guidelines also say that pain in these areas can be a symptom of cancer, adding that you should also look out for abdominal pain.
Lower back pain does not necessarily mean you have cancer, it could be the result of other health problems or an injury.
problems with the urinary tract
A lesser-known symptom of cervical cancer can be urinary problems, such as frequent urination.
Valentina Milanova, founder of Daye, a women’s health company, said: “The cervix is below the bladder, so irregular cervical growths such as tumors are likely to have a direct impact on your bladder.
“As a result, cervical cancer can sometimes affect a woman’s urinary habits and cause her to urinate more often.”
Ms Jacques also says blood in the urine, loss of bladder control, persistent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and “any other change in your bladder habits” can be symptoms.
Urinary tract problems can also be caused by infections, pregnancy, childbirth, what or how much you’ve been drinking, enlarged prostate or menopause, among others.
Constipation or other bowel problems
Bowel problems can also be a warning sign of cervical cancer, according to Cancer Research UK.
It says: “Sometimes cancer can grow so large that it completely blocks the intestines. The waste products of the digested food cannot overcome the blockage.’
The charity says this blockage can cause symptoms such as bloating and flatulence, vomiting, nausea, constipation, air pockets and pain.
Bowel problems can be a sign of other minor illnesses or simply what you ate.
Back pain and pain between the hip bones (pelvis) are common during menstruation (file photo)
leg pain and swelling
Ms Jacques said leg pain and swelling is another lesser known symptom of the disease.
According to Cancer Research UK, cervical cancer can spread to the lymph nodes in the area between the hip bones.
You can also develop tumors in your pelvic area, which then push against the pelvic wall and cause pain.
Cancer cells can also prevent fluid from draining, which can cause swelling in the bones. This is called lymphedema.
Other causes of leg pain include injury, blood clots, poor circulation or varicose veins.
The sale of bones can also be the result of obesity, pregnancy, excessive salt consumption or the use of certain medications.
Unexplained weight loss
Ms Jacques claimed that unexplained weight loss is another sign to look out for.
The Moffitt Cancer Center’s advice page says: “Like many types of cancer, cervical cancer can cause a loss of appetite.
“Furthermore, weight loss can be a problem regardless of the amount of food eaten.”
With cancer, the immune system has to work harder and the body produces small proteins called cytokines that break down fat much faster than normal.
However, unexplained weight can mean several things, such as: B. mental illness, digestive problems or other health problems.
WHAT IS HPV? INFECTION LINKED 99% OF CASES OF CASES
Up to eight out of ten people will get HPV during their lifetime
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name for a group of viruses that affect your skin and the moist membranes that line your body.
It is very commonly transmitted through vaginal, anal and oral sex and skin-to-skin contact between the genitals.
Up to eight out of ten people will contract the virus at some point in their lives.
There are more than 100 types of HPV. About 30 of them can affect the genital area. Genital HPV infections are common and highly contagious.
Many people never show symptoms because they can develop years after infection, and most cases go away without treatment.
It can lead to genital warts and is also known to cause cervical cancer by causing abnormal tissue growth.
An average of 38,000 HPV-related cancers are diagnosed each year in the US, 3,100 cases of cervical cancer and about 2,000 other cancers in men in the UK.
What other cancers does it cause?
- throat
- neck
- Tongue
- almonds
- vulva
- vagina
- penis
- anus
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
