Cervical cancer affects thousands of women per year. Unfortunately, the early signs of the disease can be so subtle that many women ignore them until it’s in the later stages. While treatment is still possible at advanced stages, it can be more invasive and complicated.
That’s why it’s so important to be able to recognize the early signs and act quickly.
READ: 5 Warning Signs Of Cervical Cancer Every Black Woman Should Know
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Possible Early Signs of Cervical Cancer
The early signs of cervical cancer can often be attributed to other disorders, stress, or being overworked.
However, if you experience any of these signs, it’s recommended that you consult with your doctor as soon as possible.
RELATED: Cervical Cancer: Don't Wait For Symptoms
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Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Women who experience abnormal bleeding between periods, after having sex, after going through menopause, or after undergoing a routine pelvic exam should be concerned about cervical cancer.
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Unexplained pelvic pain
While the menstrual cycle may cause cramping, the pelvic pain from cervical cancer usually has no obvious cause.
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An unexplained discharge
If you’re seeing a discharge that is watery and has a foul smell, this is a sure sign that something is wrong. Even if cervical cancer is not the cause, any strange discharge deserves to be investigated.
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Chronic fatigue
It’s true that being tired all the time can be caused by different illnesses and most physicians don’t readily associate this with cervical cancer. However, if you’re constantly exhausted, it’s worth it to find out why.
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Pain with sexual intercourse
It’s important to pay attention to this sign at its earliest onset. By the time it gets bad enough to significantly affect your sex life, the disease would have likely started to spread.
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Bowel movement changes
There’s no need to get concerned if these changes last for less than a week but if they persist, give your doctor a call.
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Painful urination
If you have a burning or stinging feeling while urinating, it’s more likely to be a sign of cervical cancer than anything else.
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Changes in the menses
When menstrual periods become heavier or longer, it’s possible that cervical cancer is the cause. Check this one out as soon as possible.
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Strange weight loss
Unless you’re making an effort to lose weight, shedding pounds should always be investigated by a doctor.
How Cervical Cancer is Diagnosed
The first stage in diagnosing cervical cancer is a pap smear. In this procedure cells from the cervix are assessed under a microscope for possible abnormalities.
In some cases, the doctor may order an HPV DMA test to check for the types of HPV that are usually associated with cervical cancer.
If the initial tests show abnormalities, the next step is typically a colposcopy and biopsy.
READ: Newly Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer? Questions To Ask Your Doctor Before, During & After Treatment
These procedures give the doctor the opportunity to take a closer look at the affected cervical tissues as well as collect larger samples for analysis.
Should those tests confirm the presence of cervical cancer, your doctor will order imaging tests to determine the stage of the disease.
Staging the disease is essential to choosing a treatment option.
Potential Treatment Options For Cervical Cancer
At the early stages of cervical cancer, surgery is usually the preferred option. Depending on the test results, the doctor may recommend removing only the affected areas, the entire cervix, or the cervix and uterus.
Other treatment options include radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. These may also be used for more advanced stages of cervical cancer.
Persons Who Are at Risk
Anyone under the age of 65 who has an intact cervix is at risk for cervical cancer. Doctors advise that smokers should be on the lookout for all types of cancer, including cervical cancer.
Persons who are sexually active and do not use protective barrier methods such as condoms are also at risk. According to recent studies, African American women are the second-largest ethnicity to be affected by cervical cancer. Interestingly, they are also more likely to have a negative outcome within 5 years of a diagnosis.
The early signs of cervical cancer can be easy to miss. Given that African American women are highly likely to be affected by it and can die even after being diagnosed, it’s essential that you visit a doctor if you notice these slight changes in your body. Additionally, scheduling annual check-ups can find issues that you might miss.
