4 red flags that may signal cervical cancer
Photo: Symptoms of cervical cancer (freepik.com)
Cervical cancer is one of the most common oncological pathologies among women. In the early stages, this disease is often asymptomatic, which makes it difficult to detect it in a timely manner.
Below are four symptoms of cervical cancer that should alert women.
Unusual vaginal bleeding
One of the most alarming signals is bleeding that is not related to the menstrual cycle. It can be bleeding:
- between periods
- after sexual intercourse
- after menopause
Any unusual bleeding is a reason to visit a gynecologist, as it can be caused by precancerous changes or an already-developed tumor.
Pain in the lower abdomen and during intercourse
Chronic or recurrent pain in the lower abdomen that is not associated with menstruation may be a sign of an oncological process. Discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse is also a possible symptom, as the tumor can cause inflammation and irritation of the cervical tissue.
Unusual discharge
Changes in the nature of vaginal discharge can be another warning sign. In particular, you should pay attention to:
- Heavy watery or mucous discharge
- Discharge with an unpleasant odor
- The presence of bloody or brownish impurities
These symptoms may indicate an inflammatory process or malignant changes in the cervix.
Disorders of urination
In later stages, cervical cancer can pressure neighboring organs, including the bladder. This can cause the following symptoms:
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
- Pain or discomfort during urination
How to prevent the disease?
Cervical cancer most often develops due to the human papillomavirus (HPV). Therefore, important preventive measures are:
- Regular gynecological examinations and HPV testing
- Undergoing screening (Pap test) at least once every three years
- HPV vaccination, which is an effective way to reduce the risk of the disease.
Sources: SurreyLive, Health, Daily Express.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
