pregnancy, pregnancy symptom

Women and Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Recognizing a Cervical Cancer Symptom for Early Detection and Treatment

Recognizing a cervical cancer symptom can help lead to early detection and treatment to prevent complications of the disease. Cervical cancer attacks the cervix of the female reproductive system. The cervix is located between the uterus and vagina, characterized as a narrow neck that connects the two parts.

Most of the time, cervical cancer stems from the surface cells that line the cervix. These cells are generally healthy but may go into an aberrant period known as dysplasia. The cells are not cancerous in nature however dysplasia may cause them to be. This is the initial stage of cervical cancer known as carcinoma in situ, which occurs when dysplastic cells become malignant.

Women 25 to 35 years old are likely candidates for dysplasia. While those between the ages of 30 to 40 years old should have regular tests for carcinoma in situ. Older women between the ages of 40 to 60 may experience invasive cancer symptoms without early detection.

Keep in mind that cervical cancer afflicts approximately 2.5% of women in the United States. Yearly diagnostic tests for cervical cancer on American women indicate more than 50,000 cases of stage one cervical cancer and nearly 15,000 instances of women with invasive cancer.

Fortunately, cervical cancer at this stage can already be detected and provided with preliminary treatment. However delayed diagnosis will allow cancer cells to multiply and in due course invade the cervix lining. Eventually, nearby tissue cells may also become infected and go into the lymphatic system or bloodstream of the body.

Regular Pap smear tests can help detect signs of cervical cancer. Although, it may take months or years before dysplasia develops into stage one cervical cancer. In addition, it may take even longer for the disease to be a major threat to other systems of the body.

That is why cervical cancer is not considered a major cancer threat to women’s health since it is easily detectable and curable with statistics of over fifty percent full recovery for diagnosed patients. Unfortunately, figures drop in cases wherein cervical cancer has already spread to other parts of the body.

Cervical Cancer Symptoms to Watch Out For

Symptoms of cervical cancer are indicators that every woman should be familiar with. Women who smoke or engage in promiscuous activities may be at risk of developing cervical cancer.

Even women who are currently afflicted with any other type of disease may be susceptible to cervical cancer. These conditions lower the body’s resistance thus putting it in a precarious situation wherein it is too weak to defend itself against infection.

In its earliest stages, cervical cancer shows no major symptoms such as pain to indicated its presence. Typical symptoms at this stage may show some vaginal discharge that may be watery or bloody. The discharge may at times produce a foul and heavy smell.

In some cases, vaginal bleeding may occur following intercourse, in between menstrual cycles or even after menopause. Unusual heavy bleeding and longer menstrual periods may also be a warning sign of cervical cancer in its early stages.

Serious cases of cervical cancer wherein surrounding tissues have older been infected will experience difficult or painful urination wherein blood is present in the urine. At the same time, urination problems can be a sign of kidney failure. Loss of appetite and weight couple with fatigue and an overall sensation of sickness are also symptoms of complications due to cervical cancer.

Visit a doctor immediately if any of these symptoms persist for more than two weeks to have a comprehensive gynecological exam.

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