Symptoms of cervical cancer that need to be watched out for

Cervical cancer is often referred to as the silent killer or a sneak killer for women. The reason is, there are often no symptoms of cervical cancer until the cervical cancer stage is quite severe. However, even though this cancer is difficult to detect, there are some symptoms that you should be aware of. The following is a complete review of the symptoms or characteristics of cervical cancer.

Various symptoms of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is a condition that occurs when cancer cells grow in the cervix (cervix). The cervix or cervix is ​​a narrow organ located at the bottom of the uterus and is connected to the vagina.

The cause of cervical cancer is not known with certainty. But generally, this condition is caused by infection with HPV (human papilloma virus). There is not only one type of HPV virus, but 100.

In general, the HPV-16 and HPV-18 viruses are types that often infect and cause cervical cancer.

Knowing the symptoms of cervical cancer early is important for every woman so that detection can be done as early as possible to prevent complications of cervical cancer. Usually, women with cervical cancer do not have certain symptoms at the onset.

Generally, complaints will not appear until cervical cancer has spread and grown to nearby tissues. When cervical cancer begins to spread, then you will feel various symptoms or characteristics, such as:

1. Abnormal bleeding as a symptom of cervical cancer

There are various criteria for when bleeding from the vagina is said to be abnormal. Starting from bleeding after sex, after menopause, longer menstrual periods, and bleeding between menstrual cycles.

You may also have menstrual periods that occur twice a month. In addition, you need to be aware of abnormal bleeding from the vagina after doing this douching as well as a pelvic exam.

According to Dr. Taraneh Shirazian, a gynecologist at NYU Langone Health, abnormal bleeding in the vagina is one of the common symptoms of cervical cancer.

This vaginal bleeding is also a sign of advanced cervical cancer. Because that means, the development of tumors in cervical cancer has begun to spread and affect the surrounding tissue.

If the characteristics of cervical cancer appear, you should not underestimate what are the symptoms of cervical cancer and immediately consult a doctor.

2. Unusual vaginal discharge

Normally, vaginal discharge is odorless and colorless. The texture also tends to be sticky like mucus in general. This condition is actually normal and there is no need to worry as long as the conditions are still within reasonable limits.

Even so, there are vaginal discharge conditions that indicate cervical cancer. Leucorrhoea due to cervical cancer will look bloody, smell fishy, ​​and thicker than usual.

This abnormal discharge can appear after menopause or between menstrual periods. Dr. Shirazian further detailed that the vaginal discharge that bleeds is usually pink or slightly brown in color.

This condition usually occurs because a piece of tissue, or what is commonly called a necrotic, comes out through the vagina. Plus, there is also fluid that comes from a tumor in the cervix which makes vaginal discharge abnormal.

3. Persistent lower back and pelvic pain

Lower back and pelvic pain usually indicates a problem with the reproductive organs, including the cervix, aka the cervix. What's more, you need to be vigilant when this lower back pain is quite intense.

In fact, cervical cancer symptoms characterized by pelvic pain and lower back can also spread to other organs of the body, such as the bladder, intestines, lungs, or liver.

Dr. Chapman Davis suggests that these characteristics may indicate that cervical cancer has progressed to an advanced stage.

This is because problems that arise in the cervix or cervix do not directly affect the nerves of the body. That is why, the symptoms will only appear at an advanced stage.

If you experience persistent back or pelvic pain for no apparent reason, check with your doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

4. Severe fatigue

Severe fatigue is one of the characteristics of cervical cancer that also needs to be watched out for.

Although it is similar to the symptoms of other diseases, fatigue due to cervical cancer is usually more severe. It is also due to abnormal vaginal bleeding. As a result, the number of red blood cells and oxygen in the body decreases.

You also feel very tired all the time for no apparent reason. In fact, you could complain of fatigue even though you are not doing quite a strenuous activity.

If you feel unusual fatigue and are not getting enough rest, try to see a doctor. Your doctor may check your iron and red blood cell levels, to determine whether what you are experiencing is a symptom of cervical cancer or not.

5. Pain during sex as a symptom of cervical cancer

The growth of tumors throughout the cervical tissue can cause extreme pain during intercourse. This one symptom will especially be felt when the cancer has entered an advanced stage.

However, pain or bleeding that occurs during sex doesn't necessarily mean that you have a serious condition.

Pain or pain that you feel during sex may be caused by other problems and is not a symptom of cervical cancer. Inflammation of the cervix, vaginal infections, and cervical polyps can also cause pain during sex.

However, if you feel it persistently you need to be careful. The reason is, this pain could be a signal to the body to inform the characteristics of cervical cancer.

6. Weight loss suddenly

Just like other types of cancer, sudden weight loss can also be one of the symptoms or characteristics of cervical cancer. This condition generally occurs without preparation. What this means is that you are not undergoing a special program to lose weight.

However, this cervical cancer symptom is actually influenced by conditions such as severe fatigue, feeling pain, and discomfort in the body. As a result, you become lazy to eat and lose weight.

Sudden weight loss does not always lead to cervical cancer characteristics. However, you shouldn't ignore it, especially if there are other symptoms that follow.

7. Always feeling nauseous

Nausea that doesn't go away can be a symptom of cervical cancer. This complaint arises because when the cervix swells towards the abdominal cavity, the digestive tract and stomach become depressed.

As a result, this condition triggers acid reflux or an increase in stomach acid into the throat. You also keep feeling nauseous. However, this is usually not the main symptom.

8. Pain when urinating

Pain or pain when urinating is not actually the main symptom of cervical cancer. These characteristics of cervical cancer usually appear only when the cancer has spread to various surrounding tissues.

The structure of the female reproductive organs adjacent to the urinary tract has the potential to cause symptoms similar to those of a urinary tract infection.

The characteristics of cervical cancer include pain when urinating, difficulty urinating, and increased frequency of urination. Consult your doctor immediately to get the exact cause of your condition.

9. Swollen or sore feet

Not much is known, swollen and sore feet are one of the signs of cervical cancer that you should be aware of. These complaints usually appear if the cancer is at a more serious stage.

The effects of pain in the back and pelvis can extend to the legs. These complaints can also arise when cervical cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, which are located in the area between the hip bones.

In addition, swollen feet are also caused by cancer cells that have blocked lymph fluid that should be excreted by the body. As a result, fluid will accumulate in the legs. This condition causes swelling, which is known as lymphedema.

10. Abnormal Pap smear test results as a symptom of cervical cancer

If you feel symptoms of cervical cancer, it is important for you to detect cervical cancer which can be done by following an IVA examination or a pap smear test.

An abnormal Pap smear test is not always a symptom of cervical cancer. However, these can be important "signposts" that should not be underestimated.

If you have had a Pap test with abnormal results, you should do further tests to find out your real condition.

When you feel symptoms of cervical cancer, when to see a doctor?

Actually, doing cervical cancer detection does not need to wait for symptoms to appear, because this examination is also done as a form of cervical cancer prevention in addition to adopting a healthy lifestyle and eating cervical cancer preventive foods.

Therefore, if you realize that there are a series of symptoms of cervical cancer above, it is important for you to consult a doctor. Do not delay to get checked out immediately if you experience the following conditions:

• Bleeding is not normal.
• Bleeding after sex.
• New bleeding after menopause.

Although vaginal bleeding is very common, for example during menstruation, understand if the cause of the bleeding you are experiencing. The reason is, according to the National Health Service (NHS), vaginal bleeding can be the easiest symptom to find in people with cervical cancer.

This is important to do immediately, because the sooner your health condition is known, the sooner the doctor can provide the best treatment. If you are positive for cervical cancer, it is better to immediately do treatment for cervical cancer.

There are many cervical cancer treatment options, ranging from using medical drugs for cervical cancer, to natural remedies using traditional medicines and adopting a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods for cervical cancer and exercising regularly.

After undergoing treatment, you also need to undergo recovery for cervical cancer in order to prevent the cancer cells from coming back. Usually, the symptoms and treatment that you undergo will be different for each stage, starting from stage 1, 2, 3, to 4.