Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Cervical cancer is cancer of the cells in the cervix. Receiving regular gynecological checkups, getting Pap tests and practicing safe sex are the most significant steps that you can take toward the prevention of cervical cancer. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the basic therapies for cervical cancer.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer, or cancer of the cervix, develops on the surface of your cervix. It happens when the cells in your cervix begin to convert to precancerous cells. Although not all precancerous cells will develop into cancer, it is crucial to identify these unfavorable cells and treat them before they have a chance to do so if you want to avoid cervical cancer.

What are the most typical cervical cancer warning signs and symptoms?

Early stages of cervical cancer are typically difficult to diagnose because they lack symptoms. It may take several years before cervical cancer symptoms appear. The greatest strategy to prevent cervical cancer is to find abnormal cells during testing for the disease.

Stage 1 cervical cancer symptoms and signs might include:

Vaginal discharge that is either bloody or watery, may be heavy, and may smell bad.

Vaginal bleeding following sex, in between cycles, or following menopause.

Periods of menstruation could be heavier and longer than usual.

Why does cervical cancer develop?

The sexually transmitted HPV virus is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Whether anal, oral, or vaginal, sexual contact can transfer HPV, which has been linked to cancer. Since their bodies battle the virus, the majority of people who have HPV at some point in their lives won't be aware of it. The cells in your cervix, though, have the potential to develop into malignant cells if your body doesn't battle the infection.

How painful is cervical cancer?

If you have any pain at all from cervical cancer in its early stages, it might not feel severe. You can have pelvic pain or have trouble peeing when the cancer worsens and spreads to neighboring tissues and organs. Others may experience overall bad health, exhaustion, or appetite loss.

How is ovarian cancer identified?

These aberrant cells could disappear, remain unchanged, or develop into cancerous cells.

The majority of cervical cancer cases can be found through routine gynecological exams with a Pap test. In a Pap test, also known as a Pap smear, cells from your cervix are gathered for analysis. These cells are checked for any anomalies or early cancer indications.

Additional testing is required if your Pap results are abnormal. This can involve an HPV test, a specialized test that looks for HPV infection in the cells of your cervix.

Additional testing is required if your Pap results are abnormal. This can involve an HPV test, a specialized test that looks for HPV infection in the cells of your cervix. Cervical cancer has been linked to specific HPV infection types.

If your doctor suspects you have cancer, they might additionally check your cervix and obtain a tissue sample for a biopsy. The tissue can be obtained using a variety of methods, including punch biopsy and endocervical curettage. In other situations, cervix tissue is collected for biopsy using a wire loop or conization.

Additional testing will identify whether the cancer has spread (metastasized) if the biopsy results in a cancer diagnosis. These examinations may involve:

studies on kidney and liver function.

tests on blood and urine.

abdominal cavity, rectum, bowels, and bladder X-rays.

The staging procedure is what it is.

What procedures can detect cervical cancer?

The Pap test and the HPV test are used to find cervical cancer. Before they have an opportunity to develop into cancer, these cervical cancer tests can detect abnormal or troublesome cells in their earliest stages. Cervical cancer is extremely curable and less likely to progress if these cells are discovered early.

Your healthcare professional will use a brush to swab or scrape your cervix in order to obtain cells for the Pap and HPV tests. Your feet are in stirrups as you recline backward on an exam table (like you would for a pelvic exam). Your vagina is opened up by inserting a speculum there. The cells are placed in a liquid and sent to a lab for analysis once the swab has been collected.