Usually, in the initial stages, cervical cancer does not cause any pain or symptoms. Unfortunately, the symptoms do not appear until the time cancer has aggravated and spread to other surrounding tissues. Thus, women need to undergo pelvic examinations and Pap tests regularly. This will not only help in early detection but also ensure a better and faster course of treatment.

Common symptoms of cervical cancer

What are they?
The problem with the early stages of cervical cancer is that they could easily be misread as the symptoms from other non-cancerous diseases. However, it is important to be aware and watchful. Some of the most common symptoms of cervical cancer in the early stages include:

• Experiencing abnormal bleeding from the vagina probably after menstrual periods, intercourse, or even after menopause
• The bleeding during times of periods is more than usual
• Periods last longer than they did earlier
• Experiencing discomfort or pain during intercourse
• Occasional sudden bleeding after douching
• An unusual discharge from the vagina, which might have some blood in it. At times, this discharge will be either after menopause or during periods.
• Vaginal discharge that has a strange odor
• Continuous pain in the pelvic region

Further, when cervical cancer spreads to the nearby tissues, the symptoms might aggravate. In this stage, the symptoms experienced will be:

• Inability to pee properly
• Weird pain while peeing
• Visible blood or blood spots in the urine
• Swelling in the legs
• Backache
• The appearance of blood in the poop from the rectum
• Diarrhea
• Incomprehensible weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Weakness or a persistent feeling of illness
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Swollen abdomen
• Nausea

It is important to know that while these symptoms listed here are common to cervical cancer, they could be because of any other non-cancerous condition. However, if you have experienced any of the above-listed symptoms, you should immediately get in touch with a doctor or a healthcare expert. Ignoring these symptoms could aggravate the severity of the disease, and then it might be more difficult to cure. Moreover, cervical cancer is believed to be an easily treatable type of cancer when detected in the earlier stages.

When should you go to the doctor?
Whenever you experience vaginal discharge, bleeding after sex, or any abnormal bleeding, or either of the listed symptoms, you should visit a gynecologist and get a Pap test conducted. Know that the bleeding from the vagina following menopause should be discussed with the doctor immediately. It could be something as regular as a uterine polyp or even some vaginal dryness, but it should not be ignored either way. This is because you cannot deny that vaginal bleeding is a common symptom of cervical cancer and uterine cancer.