Cancer is the rapid and abnormal growth of a group of mutated cells. When this mutation occurs in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer. The cervix is the lowermost part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. This type of cancer is quite rare and affects around half a million women in the United States every year. The human papillomavirus (HPV) and it’s various strains are a sexually transmitted infection, which is a major cause for the development of the disease. There are two types of cervical cancer, namely, adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Early warning signs and symptoms of cervical cancer

Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Vaginal bleeding occurs mostly after cancer has spread to the nearby tissues. Bleeding can be normal spotting also, which is a common thing for many women. It is important to consult your doctor if the following symptoms are experienced:

• Bleeding in between menstrual cycles
• Heavy flow during menstrual periods
• Lengthy menstrual periods
• Bleeding post sexual intercourse
• Bleeding post a pelvic exam
• Bleeding which results in anemia
• Bleeding that causes fatigue and dizziness

Vaginal discharge and foul smell
If the cervical tumor lacks oxygen, the cells may die, causing an infection. The infected tumor, in turn, causes a very foul odor through vaginal discharge. This discharge is mostly pale, brown, watery, or mixed with blood.

Pain while having sex
When a woman’s cervical cancer is advanced, she might experience a lot of pain during sexual intercourse due to the growth of the tumor throughout the surrounding tissues and reproductive organs.

Pain in the appendix, lower back, and pelvic region
The cervix can cause problems in the reproductive system, which can cause further problems in the lower back and pelvis. Continuous pelvic pain is one of the early warning signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. Cancer may be in an advanced stage if you experience pelvic pain near the appendix. However, there may be other symptoms before this symptom occurs.

Leg pain
As cancer progresses, it may press against the nerves in your pelvic wall, causing your leg to swell up and cause pain. Inflammation in your leg can occur due to a variety of reasons but when it’s combined with leg pain, it might be a sign of cervical cancer.

Weight loss and loss of appetite
One of the main early warning signs and symptoms of cancer is unexplained weight loss and it is the same case with cervical cancer. Regardless of the amount of food consumed by a patient, weight loss may be persistent for women with the disease.

Prevention of cervical cancer
For protection against cervical cancer, the following measures are recommended:

• Pap tests look for changes in the cells and their normal functioning. It’s recommended for women to take paper tests every three years.
• The most common cause of cervical cancer is HPV. Using a vaccine against this virus can help prevent the disease from occurring and consequently preventing cervical cancer. Children between 11-12 are recommended to get the vaccine.
• Avoiding unprotected sex which can transmit STDs.
• Stopping smoking