7 Warning Signs of Cervical Cancer

7 Warning Signs of Cervical Cancer 

Here are the top 7 warning signs of cervical cancer you should not ignore

1.Heavier and Longer Menstrual Periods in Cervical Cancer 
Menstrual periods that are heavier and longer than normal are another common warning sign of cervical cancer. Irritation of the cervix, possibly due to spread of cervical cancer, can cause this problem.

Bleeding is considered heavy if you have to change sanitary napkins or tampons more often than once every 2 hours.

Apart from cancer, heavy bleeding can be due to a hormonal imbalance, fibroids, polyps, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis or thyroid, liver or kidney disease. It can even happen due to certain medications.

Any change in the consistency of monthly periods should be discussed with your doctor. Remember that prevention is better than the cure.

2.Unusual Vaginal Discharge in Cervical Cancer 
A little bit of clear, odorless vaginal discharge is normal. However, if vaginal discharge increases, smells foul or has an irregular appearance, it could be a sign of infection or cervical or endometrial cancer.

When suffering from cervical cancer, vaginal discharge could be heavy, pale, watery, brown or mixed with blood.

If you experience this symptom, report it to your doctor immediately.

3.leg pain in Cervical Cancer 
Women diagnosed with cervical cancer often experience swelling and pain in their legs. When the cancer spreads, it obstructs blood flow, which causes swelling in the legs. Swollen legs often create a sore, painful sensation, making it hard to carry out your day-to-day activities.a

When caused by cervical cancer, the pain tends to be constant and increases in intensity over time. At times, there also may be back pain.

Remember, having leg pain does not mean you have cancer. If you have leg pain and a few more of the above-mentioned symptoms for a few weeks, it is best to get yourself checked by a doctor.

4.Pain during Intercourse in Cervical Cancer 
Painful intercourse is another important warning sign of cervical cancer. This symptom indicates advanced cervical cancer, which means the cancer has spread throughout tissues and reproductive organs. Apart from pain, you may also experience other symptoms, such as thick, foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
There are other possible reasons for this particular problem, such as an infection or STD.
Do not ignore this symptom. Get your cervix examined by your doctor.

5.Unusual Vaginal Discharge in Cervical Cancer 
A little bit of clear, odorless vaginal discharge is normal. However, if vaginal discharge increases, smells foul or has an irregular appearance, it could be a sign of infection or cervical or endometrial cancer.

When suffering from cervical cancer, vaginal discharge could be heavy, pale, watery, brown or mixed with blood.

If you experience this symptom, report it to your doctor immediately.

6.Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding in Cervical Cancer 
Most women diagnosed with cervical cancer experience irregular bleeding.
An untimely bout of vaginal bleeding that occurs regularly could be an indicator of cervical cancer. It could also be due to other medical conditions, such as a hormonal imbalance, pelvic inflammatory disease or an infection in the pelvic organs.

As cancer spreads to nearby tissues, it creates new, abnormal capillaries that break easily and cause bleeding. Such bleeding may happen between menstrual periods, after sexual intercourse, after menopause and even after a pelvic exam.

7.Unexplained Weight Loss in Cervical Cancer 
As with other forms of cancer, unexplained weight loss can indicate cervical cancer. When suffering from cancer, the immune system works hard to fight it.

The body produces small proteins called cytokines, which break down fat at a much higher rate than normal. This leads to weight loss, irrespective of your diet.

If you are suddenly losing weight and have some of the other symptoms mentioned in this article, it could be due to cervical cancer. It’s important that you get a medical checkup.