Cervical cancer is the most common cancer of the uterine cavity. Rarely seen in women below 20 years of age and mostly affecting women over 65 years of age, cervical cancer affects women and leads to the death of 40% of them.

The causes of cervical cancer are listed below.

• Prior history of human papillomavirus (HPV)
  Although not everyone who has had an HPV infection has cervical cancer, the reverse is true. Everyone who has cervical cancer has a history of an HPV infection.
• Prolonged use of birth control pills
• Smoking
• Having multiple children

It is suggested that women who are vaccinated before they are sexually active have a lesser chance of developing cervical cancer. There are some signs and symptoms that a woman should look out for if she is suspected to be at risk for cervical cancer. Read on to know some of the warning signs. Moreover, one must remember that these symptoms are generic and can be caused by any uterine or gynaecological condition

• Irregular bleeding

  Whether it is irregular spotting between periods or bleeding after sex, it requires a check

• Menopause

  A woman who is postmenopausal, if found bleeding, should also get a thorough check-up done to rule out cervical cancer

• Bleeding after Douching

  Bleeding after douching is another indication of cervical cancer

• Inconsistent menstruation

  For a woman who has regular periods, changes in the bleeding pattern should be considered as a warning sign. The periods can be heavier, they can last longer than usual, and may occur earlier than the regular cycle duration.

• Vaginal discharge

  In addition to bleeding mentioned above, there could be an intermittent vaginal discharge that is strange in terms of color, odor, and consistency.

• Pelvic pain

  This again does not indicate cervical cancer alone, but when combined with the other symptoms, it is a strong indication of cervical cancer. There could also be severe back pain and lower abdominal pain due to cramps.

• Kidney symptoms

  The kidneys could be blocked due to the growing cancer, and there could be urinary symptoms such as painful urination and incomplete emptying of the bladder.

• Altered bowel movements

  The pressure of the growing tumor on the abdomen can also cause altered bowel movements.

• General cancer symptoms

  A general symptom associated with any cancer, fatigue is also seen with cervical cancer. The patient’s overall energy levels are lost, and there could be a loss of appetite and lethargy. Given the irregular and sometimes excessive bleeding, the person can also have anaemia. The patient also may have unexplained weight loss.

Once cancerous growth starts, it may take 10-15 years for the cancer to become invasive. The state before that is known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, which is a precancerous condition. If identified early, the condition can be arrested and treated. This dysplasia can persist for a long time before it turns into a full-fledged cancer.

If a woman is aware of these symptoms, she can watch out for them and identify cervical cancer before it goes invasive.

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