Cervical cancer has no outward signs or symptoms until it is advanced. However, some signs of cervical cancer are apparent to doctors when you have a pap test. If you want to diagnose cervical cancer early, get regular annual pap tests. However, once cervical cancer becomes more advanced, some signs and symptoms can indicate its presence.
Abnormal Bleeding
The signs of cervical cancer usually occur as a result of cancer cells spreading to tissue and organs near the cervix. For example, the cancer cells might spread to the uterus. One of the most common signs of cervical cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Abnormal bleeding is bleeding that occurs in between your regular periods. Heavier than normal bleeding during your period may also be a sign of cervical cancer. If you bleed after sex or when douching or getting a pelvic exam, this bleeding might also be a sign of cervical cancer. Finally, if you bleed vaginally after menopause, that might also be a sign of cervical cancer.
Increased Vaginal Discharge
An increase in vaginal discharge is another potential sign of cervical cancer. Heavier than normal or discolored vaginal discharge are common. The vaginal discharge may also have small amounts of blood in it. Again, this normally does not occur until the cancer has started advancing into other organs, usually the vulva or vagina in this case.
Other Symptoms
Other signs of cervical cancer include pain in the leg, back or pelvis. Leg pain, especially, is a sign of advanced cervical cancer. Depending on where the cancer spreads from he cervix, you may also have rectal bleeding or blood in your urine. It may become difficult to urinate or use the bathroom. Finally, you might have unexplained weight loss or become anemic (as a result of excessive bleeding).
Abnromal Pap Tests
Although the outward signs of cervical cancer mentioned above don't become apparent until the cancer is advanced, some signs of cervical cancer can be identified quite early if you have an annual pap smear. Pap smears take a small scraping of cells from your cervix. The cells are examined under a microscope and evaluated for pre-cancerous changes. Pre-cancerous changes may show up years before cervical cancer develops. These pre-cancerous changes are a sign that cervical cancer may eventually happen, and when identified you can get non-invasive outpatient treatment that may prevent the cancer from ever growing.
Diagnosis
Cervical cancer is usually diagnosed as a result of a pap smear that takes cells from the cervix. Approximately 11,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in the U.S. Most women diagnosed with cervical cancer are 40 years of age or older.
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