With the development of the Pap test, the death rate from cervical cancer has been on the decline. This trend started in the 1940s when this test was invented. To be precise, the number of people that die from this type of cancer is down by 50%. We are sure that you are glad, just like us, to hear this news. But where there is good news there is also bad. The bad news is that every year more than 4,000 women die from cervical cancer in the United States of America. To be ready to counter this cancer we are going to talk about ten signs that you should look for to recognize this cancer.
Cervical cancer is most common in women in their 40s and 50s, but more than 15% of women older than 65 will be diagnosed with this disease. This means that it is possible for cervical cancer to appear even after women have gone through menopause.
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It is essential to know that most signs of this cancer are not all that obvious. Because of this, it is necessary to contact your doctor when you see some of these signs, whether they are obvious or less so. Now, read the most typical symptoms of cervical cancer below.
10 Signs of Cervical Cancer
Bowel movement changes
The first sign is changes in your bowel movements. If you notice that you need to defecate more than you are used to, a visit to your doctor is the best thing. This symptom usually sticks around, and it worsens over time. Because of this, it is better to address it sooner rather than later.
Being tired all the time
Feeling tired is normal when you overwork yourself or when you have a rough day. But if you are always feeling tired, and it is in combination with one of these other symptoms, it might be cancer.
Pelvic pain
Having pelvic pain during menstruation is normal, but if it continues beyond that, it might be something more severe. If your pain gets worse after menstruation than it was during, it can very easily be cervical cancer.
Pain during sex
This symptom is more common before menopause. After it, you will more likely experience dryness not as a symptom of this cancer.
Unusual vaginal discharge
The reasons for having strange vaginal discharge are many, and some of them can be connected to cervical cancer. If your discharge smells terrible and is watery you should immediately visit a doctor.
Abnormal bleeding
If you have bleeding issues during sex or at times when you are not on your period, you might have cervical cancer. This is one of the most common signs.
Change in menstrual cycles
If your period starts lasting longer and causing you more trouble than usual, you might have a health problem.
Bleeding between periods
This is one of the signs that pre-cancer cells are forming.
Bleeding after sex
This symptom goes together with pain during sex.
Bleeding during menopause
If you have gone through menopause but start experiencing bleeding issues once again, see a doctor.
Most women wonder if there is a way of removing cervical cancer if the worst happens, and the answer is yes. During a procedure called a hysterectomy, both the uterus and cervix can be removed. But if your cervix is healthy and pap smear is also good, this procedure won’t be necessary. Another thing that should be kept in mind is that you only remove a part of the cervix, so there is a chance that this cancer could return after a hysterectomy.
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