Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, with around 660,000 new cases in 2022 (WHO). It usually develops slowly over time. Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb). The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). Over the period, if the cells are not destroyed or removed, the abnormal cells may become cancerous and start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas.Strangely, early on, cervical cancer usually doesn’t have symptoms, making it hard to detect. Symptoms typically begin after the cancer has spread. Let us look at some of the most commonly occurring symptoms. (source: National Cancer Institute)
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
One of the first and most frequent symptoms of cervical cancer is abnormal bleeding. This may be bleeding between periods, during or after intercourse, or after menopause. Some women may experience unusually heavy or prolonged periods. Although hormonal alterations or benign conditions such as fibroids may also result in irregular bleeding, any unexplained bleeding should be reported to a physician. Early cervical cancer may interfere with blood vessels in the cervix, resulting in these symptoms.
Unusual vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge is normal, but changes in its color, consistency, or odor could indicate something more serious. Cervical cancer may cause a watery discharge that is tinged with blood or has a foul smell. These symptoms can often be confused with common infections like bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. However, if the discharge is persistent or unusual for your body, it’s important to check it.
Recurring pelvic pain or discomfort
Recurring pain or pressure in the lower abdomen or the pelvic area is another early symptom of cervical cancer. Pain during or after sexual intercourse is experienced by some women. Pelvic pain is brought on by numerous conditions, ranging from menstrual cramps to urinary tract infections, but persistent discomfort cannot be disregarded. The cancer may be proliferating and pushing against adjacent tissues.
Advanced stages of symptoms
When cervical cancer advances, the signs become worse and start interfering with adjacent organs. The symptoms might be
- Painful or hard urination
- Presence of blood in the urine
- Bowel pain
- Rectal bleeding
- Swelling in both or one leg
- Recurring back or abdominal pain
- Severe exhaustion or unusual weight loss
These symptoms tend to emerge once the condition has advanced past the cervix, thus complicating treatment. Hence, early identification is very important.Arguably, the most troubling feature of cervical cancer is how silently it develops. Early-stage cervical cancer, in most instances, has no symptoms whatsoever. This necessitates regular screening using Pap smears and HPV testing. These tests can identify precancerous cervical cell changes years before symptoms develop so that intervention can occur on time and indeed be life-saving.
What treatment options are available for cervical cancer?
Like any other type of cancer, cervical cancer’s treatment also depends on at what stage it is detected. In the initial stages, if it is detected, surgery may be the go-to option to remove the cancer, especially if the patient is young and hopes to preserve their fertility.With time, as the disease progresses, treatment may involve a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemo. Ultimately, the key to beating cervical cancer lies in early detection. Make sure to notice any unusual or prolonged symptoms, and make sure you are getting timely treatment. Apart from this, the HPV vaccine also prevents cervical cancer by protecting against high-risk human papillomavirus strains that cause most cervical cancer cases among women.(representative images)
