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Look out for theses signs of cervical cancer

This is a type of cancer that develops in the cervix of women. In most cases, it does not present any symptoms in its early stages, but some women do experience unusual vaginal bleeding, especially after sex, between periods, or after the menopause.

Symptoms

Cervical cancer is associated with several different symptoms, including: –

– Unusual Bleeding/irregular periods

Experiencing unusual bleeding in between periods or after vaginal intercourse may be a sign of cervical cancer. In addition, experiencing unusually long periods or postmenopausal bleeding may also be a sign of cervical cancer.

– Uncomfortable intercourse

Pain and discomfort during vaginal sex is another common symptom of cervical cancer. The pain can be due to infections that are associated with cervical cancer.

-Vaginal Discharge

For most women, vaginal discharge is common. However, when there is a sudden increase in discharge, it could be an indication of cervical cancer. If you notice a bloody pale, watery, and foul —smelling discharge, you need to see your doctor.

– Pelvic pain

Cervical cancer is known to spread to other parts of the body in its late stages. This means that you can experience pain in your pelvic region, especially the lower back and abdomen if the tumor is pressing on the nerves in this region.

– Weight loss

Just like many other types of cancers, cervical cancer also leads to unexplained weight loss. The cause of weight loss is associated with the production of small proteins referred to as cytokines. These proteins are known to break down fat at a faster rate, leading to weight loss, regardless of the amount of food you may eat. However, weight loss is only experienced during the late stages of cervical cancer.

– Irregular Urination

Feeling the urge to visit the bathroom more frequently but failing to empty your bladder most of the times can be a sign of cervical cancer. This is because cervical cancer causes the kidneys to become blocked, making it difficult to pass urine.

– Back Pain

Back pain is another symptom of cervical cancer, especially in its late stages. It is also as a result of cancerous tumors pressing on the nerves in the pelvic region.

Prevention of Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer can be prevented if the necessary precautions are taken early enough. The following are some of the ways to prevent cervical cancer:

– Pap test Screening

A pap smear is the best defence against cervical cancer. Pap test screening can help detect most of the cervical changes that lead to cervical cancer early enough. When these changes are detected early, effective treatment will help prevent them from turning into cancer.

– Vaccination

For women who are aged 26 and below, getting a HPV vaccine is one of the best ways of preventing cervical cancer.

-Quit smoking

Cervical cancer is one of the cancers that are associated with smoking. This means that if you are a smoker or you are planning to embrace smoking, you are essentially increasing your risk of cervical cancer.

– Avoid STDs

Failure to practice safe sex increases your risk of cervical cancer because it exposes you to STDs. The HPV virus, which is responsible for causing most cases of cervical cancer, is spread through sexual intercourse. This means that embracing the use of condoms during sexual intercourse can help decrease your risk of HPV infection.

Conclusion

The signs & symptoms may be caused by conditions other than cervical cancer like bleeding, pain and infections it is however advisable that you consult your doctor to understand the problem and get it treated immediately. A regular pap smear test can help you identify issues at an earlier stage before they spread. Cervical cancer is curable if detected in earlier stages.

Tags: cancer in women, cervical Cancer, cervical cancer cancer screening, cervical cancer prevention, cervical cancer treatment, Womens Health