Cervical Cancer Signs All Women Should Be Aware Of
By Timfly
Cervical Cancer is a Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease. HPV is the most common infection of the reproductive tract. Majority of sexually active men and women can get infected with the virus once in their life time, according to experts, and the infection can occur more than once.
The virus can spread after the genders become sexually active, and can be transmitted via skin to skin genital contact. Even penetrative sex is not necessary for the HPV virus to spread. Hence, the vaccine for the virus known as Gardasil vaccine is recommended, especially for young girls, as it can lead to cervical cancer.
Given everything, cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women worldwide, with an estimated 530,000 new cases in 2012, representing 7.5% of all female cancer deaths. More than 85% of over 270,000 estimated deaths from cervical cancer every year occur in less developed regions.
Here are 9 most significant warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
Abnormal bleeding
If one experiences unusual and abnormal bleeding, it is a possible sign of cervical cancer. Any bleeding between periods, after copulation, and after menopause can be a sign of cervical cancer. A visit to your doctor is advised.
Abnormal discharge
Though most discharge is due to bacterial vaginosis, a yeast infection, or a symptom of menopause, they are considered harmless. But any change in color, like if the discharge turns brownish, pale or yellowish, or if the smell of the discharge is becoming bad, it could be a leading sign for cervical cancer or any other serious condition. Contact your doctor as soon as you experience this.
Discomfort while urinating
Most often, the discomfort and pain experienced while passing urine is caused by UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) which can be easily treated by your doctor. But in some cases, it is a sign of cervical cancer spreading to the bladder. Please visit the doctor immediately if this happens.
Painful coitus
First and foremost, majority of the symptoms almost always point to something less worrisome. But pain during coitus may be a sign and symptom of the late onset of cancer.
Unusually long and heavy menstrual periods
Irritation of the cervix due to cervical cancer can result in abnormally long menstrual periods. This is accompanied by a heavy flow during the menstrual cycle.
No control over bladder
Cervical cancer commonly affects the bladder. Patients with cervical cancer experience severe loss of bladder control and a hint of blood in the urine.
Pain in the body
Women with cervical cancer experience body pain especially in legs, back, and pelvis. They also experience severe swelling of legs, as the spread of cancer obstructs the blood flow. It can result in prolonged pain in the legs as the illness increases with time.
Feeling fatigued constantly
A combination of symptoms mentioned above is hard on the body. Our body’s defense mechanism tries its best to fight off the cancer, but this leaves the body feeling constantly tired. Hence, once you feel yourself exhausted for prolonged periods of time, it would be better to have full check up with a doctor.
Sudden and unexplained weight loss
When a healthy body fights off a disease especially something like cancer, the patient experiences weight loss at an increased rate despite what they eat. This is due to the body producing proteins referred to as cytokines, which breaks fat in the body at a much accelerated speed due to the body fighting diseases. This is a process experienced in most types of cancer, and the same applies to cervical cancer.
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