Cervical cancer involves changes within the cells of the cervix that can spread to other parts of the body. Although many women fear this type of cancer, it is one of the most preventable types and has a high cure rate when it is caught early. In the past, cervical cancer was one of the leading causes of death for women, but discoveries in the health care field such as Pap tests and vaccinations have now made it a treatable health condition.
Currently, it is known that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) plays a role in generating cellular changes in the cervix that lead to cancer, and women can lower their risk of developing cervical cancer by limiting behaviors that expose them to the virus. Healthy lifestyle practices, such as abstaining from smoking, help to keep women’s immune systems strong enough to successfully fight off HPV. New vaccinations are also available that protect women against the main types of HPV that are associated with cancer.
1. Pelvic Pain
Discomfort in the pelvic region is common throughout a woman’s life, and many women suffer from pain such as cramping that is a normal part of menstruation. A woman may also feel a brief sharp pain on one side of the pelvis during ovulation that is normal. However, pelvic pain that occurs outside of the normal menstrual cycle should always be cause for concern.
Pain that is associated with cervical cancer can be spread throughout the pelvic region, or some women may find that it occurs in one spot. It may be relentless, or the pain may go away for a time only to return the following day. The pain can also extend from the front of the abdomen and wrap around to the back region. Some women find that pelvic pain associated with cancer increases in severity during certain activities such as sexual intercourse or urination. This type of pain can also manifest differently depending upon the location and a woman’s sensitivity to the sensations.
2. Abnormal Menstruation
In the earliest days of puberty, a girl’s menstrual cycle may fluctuate. However, cycles typically even out to where a woman has an idea of when her period should begin each month. Abnormal menstruation can involve changes in the cycle such as having a period every two weeks rather than once a month. A woman with periods that last for more than seven days may also consider this to be one of the signs that she needs to schedule a screening for cancerous changes in the cervix. While abnormal menstruation can occur from normal hormonal fluctuations, it is always best to get it checked out to make sure that a change in the cycle is not caused by cancer.
3. Heavy Menstruation
The flow of a woman’s period can also indicate cervical changes. Heavy menstruation is defined as the saturation of a pad or tampon an hour over a period of several hours. Although this symptom can be a normal part of changes in a woman’s life such as the beginning of menopause, a gynecological exam should always be scheduled to rule out the possibility of underlying disease. It should also be noted that having a heavy period can lead to anemia and the weakening of a woman’s immune system that leaves her more vulnerable to the effects of HPV in her system. Heavy menstrual bleeding that is accompanied by other abnormal changes in the cycle such as spotting should especially be of concern.
4. Spotting
When mild bleeding occurs in the day or two leading up to and after a period, it is likely just the body’s way of clearing out old menstrual blood. Normally, this type of spotting is a light brown color, and it is light enough that you might not notice it at all. Abnormal spotting is any light bleeding that occurs outside of this normal time period. For instance, a woman might find that they spot after intercourse due to the actions irritating a friable cervix. Alternatively, a pelvic exam could cause mild bleeding from the cervix. Mid-cycle bleeding that is not associated with ovulation may also be one of signs that cancer is developing.
5. Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
There are many causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding that can range from normal reactions to medications to infections and cancer. For this reason, it is important for women to know what is normal for their cycle and take note of any changes that influence bleeding. For example, women who have not had a period for a full year are considered to be in menopause. After this point, vaginal bleeding is considered abnormal and requires a visit to the doctor. Women should also take note of bleeding that extends for more than a week, is unusually heavy or that is accompanied by foul-smelling or discolored discharge.
6. Fatigue
Throughout life, women may find that they feel a sense of fatigue, and it is normal to feel tired during periods of stress or after a day full of physical activity. However, the fatigue that is associated with cancer is described as being very different. For women with cancer, fatigue may feel as though it permeates their entire body. They may find that they do not feel rested even after a full night of sleep, and it is common for women with cancer of the cervix to feel exhausted after what one would consider normal daily activity. Being more tired than usual can have many underlying causes, but it is one of the important symptoms of cancer to mention to the doctor when it happens along with other problems such as spotting between periods.
7. Nausea
Cancerous changes anywhere in the pelvic region can generate feelings of nausea in women. This symptom may be mild or it could be severe enough for a woman to actually vomit. Sometimes, swelling pelvic organs pressing against the stomach causes this, and women with cancer sometimes have increased pressure in their abdomen that makes it hard to eat much at any meal. Women who are not pregnant or experiencing an obvious illness should report feelings of nausea or indigestion to their doctor if it lasts for more than a few days or interferes with their ability to eat their normal diet.
8. Weight Loss
Although shedding a few pounds is fairly normal, women who lose an excessive amount of weight in a short period of time should explore the potential reasons why this is occurring. Weight loss associated with cancer of the cervix is often due to multiple factors such as nausea interfering with a woman’s ability to take in enough calories or a lack of appetite that accompanies fatigue. As cancer takes hold, it can also spread to other parts of a woman’s body and interfere with her metabolism. Women who find that they are losing weight without trying should arrange for a checkup just to make sure that undiagnosed cancer is not causing them to suddenly shed pounds.
