The Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is another form of uterine cancer. It begins in the cells on the surface of the cervix, either on the lower part, or in the upper part of the cervix. It is a slow-growing and malignant cancer. (Malignant simply means that it spreads). The cervix is the connector that connects the uterus to the birth canal, and is actually a part of the uterus.

Cervical cancer is usually the result of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through sexual contact. The virus can survive in the body for many years before it causes cancer, and in some cases the cancer never develops.

A new vaccine is available to stop the virus, and medical professionals are encouraging young girls and women to get the vaccine. The claim is that by the year 2022 cervical cancers will be reduced due to the vaccine. But the vaccine is still to new, to know about all the possible long-term side-effects it will cause. The best way to be on guard against this cancer is to build up the immune system and eliminate as many risk factors as possible.

Those at highest risk for developing this cancer are young girls who became sexually active before the age of 18, and those who have, or have had numerous partners. Those who smoke, use birth control pill, condoms and tampons are also at a higher risk.

The symptoms of cervical cancer may not appear until the later stages of the cancer, but pre-cancerous cells can be detected with a pap test.

The following symptoms may occur in the more advanced stages of cervical cancer.

- Bleeding in between periods, or after menopause. This can be heavy or light bleeding.
- Pelvic pains which can be dull or sharp pains, and can last for hours.
- A vaginal discharge may also occur, and may be foul smelling, thick, and may contain mucus or blood.
- Leaking of urine or feces from vagina.
- Bleeding after intercourse.
- Pain during intercourse.
- Pain or heavy bleeding while menstruating.
- Pain during urinating can occur if cancer has spread to the bladder.
- Loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss.

Other symptoms may include fatigue, back pain, leg pain, a single swollen leg, and easy fracturing of the bones.

Treatments are available; one can choose either conventional treatments which consist of chemo, radiation and surgery, or, one can choose to be healed naturally using Chinese medicines, or herbs.

What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?

Cervical Cancer is the leading cancer that affects a feminine reproductive system. It is highly associated to a sexually transmitted infection called human papillomavirus (HPV). Various strains of this infection play a huge role in the occurrence of cervical cancer. The HPV virus is usually contained by the woman's immune system and does not easily cause harm. This is not the case in all women since in some the virus is able to withstand and start converting some normal cervical cells to cancer cells. The cervix which links the vagina and the uterus of a woman starts to develop atypical cells on its superficial layer also called the cervical dysplagia. When it is left untreated it spreads to other cells of the cervix. This is usually the beginning of a well dreaded disease by many. On a brighter note it is important to note that one can have a pap smear done and get vaccinated against cervical cancer.

There are several factors that increase chances of getting cervical cancer. Since HVP is sexually transmitted, most of these factors are sexual related and include having multiple sexual partners, having a partner with multiple partners, having sex at an early age and HIV/AIDs. Some nonsexual factors include smoking and taking some medications.

Early cervical cancer has no visible or describable symptoms but as it grows, one starts to note some observable symptoms. One of the major one includes abnormal bleeding. This abnormal bleeding may manifest itself in many different forms which include bleeding which occurs in between an ordinary menstrual cycle, bleeding after a sexual encounter, a pelvic examination or douching. It may also manifest itself in extremely long and very heavy menstrual cycle- heavier than a normal heavy bleeding. One may also experience menstrual-like bleeding when they have cervical cancer. Abnormal bleeding is its most recognizable symptoms and one should always consult a medical doctor as soon as one notices something abnormal about their bleeding.

Apart from abnormal bleeding, there are other possible ways that it may manifest itself which include increased virginal discharge and pain during intercourse and pain in the pelvic part of the body.

In its earlier stages, it can be treated through several methods. One who has symptoms of this form of cancer should see a medical professional for a pap smear or HPV test and other advanced tests will be done which includes coloscopsy and biopsy. The best way to control this disease is prevention. This means that ever woman should have a pap smear done within the first two years of sexual activity and should not wait later than 21 years of age. There are different methods of treating this cancer which include vaccination against HPV, LEEP process where electrical current is used in the elimination of abnormal cancerous cells or even cryosurgery which involves killing cancerous cells by freezing them. It is important that when you get any manifestations that are similar or close the above mentioned cervical cancer symptoms you should go to a qualified medical professional for instructions.