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Cervical cancer is an extremely insidious disease. Detected early, when it is still in the pre-invasive phase, it gives 99,9 percent. chances of a successful cure. Unfortunately, most often it only becomes noticeable when the disease is already advanced. In Poland, 3 thousand. of women hears the diagnosis: cervical cancer. Many of these illnesses could have been prevented.
- Cervical cancer takes its toll every year. It’s over 500 diagnosed diseases around the world, of which over 200 thousand women die
- The data is alarming, especially when we take into account the possibilities of disease prevention and diagnosis. Women of all ages are at risk of contracting the disease, but the peak falls after the age of 49.
- Unfortunately, the early stage of the tumor usually produces no symptoms, and the only way to detect the disease is by smear screening
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Cervical smear examination should be performed regularly, every three years after the age of 21. The examination is fully reimbursed by the National Health Fund and painless. The material for the examination can be obtained by a doctor or midwife in an ordinary gynecological office.
7 Unusual Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
1. Bleeding after intercourse
Bleeding from the vagina after sexual intercourse should prompt you to see a gynecologist. Especially if a woman feels pain or discomfort during intercourse. Occasionally, cervical cancer also causes bleeding after a gynecological examination. This is called contact bleeding.
2. Bleeding between periods
This symptom is the most common reported by patients, unfortunately it usually appears only then when the cancer is advanced. Each irregularity noticed during the cycle requires consultations and gynecological diagnostics. Cervical cancer may present as spotting, bleeding, foul or slightly bloody discharge that occurs between periods. Women often underestimate this symptom, treating it as a shortening or disturbance of the menstrual cycle.
3. Constipation
This is an extremely dangerous and disturbing symptom. Problems with intestinal obstruction and constant constipation they can be a signal that an advanced tumor of the neighboring organs and their tissues is involved.
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4. Problem with urination
The development of cervical cancer may metastasize and invade adjacent organs. Very often, the cancer affects the bladder and ureters. Having trouble passing urine, or the blood in it, could be a symptom of cancer.
5. Constant pressure on the bladder
When advanced cervical cancer infiltrates the urinary system, it can develop chronic symptoms similar to inflammation of the urinary tract. The most common symptom is a feeling of constant pressure, burning, tightness and pain.
6. Swelling of the legs
The development of cervical cancer is often associated with tumor involvement pelvic lymph nodes, which may result in edema of the lower limbs. The development of tumors within the lymph nodes causes vasoconstriction and disturbances in the flow of the lymph, leading to the formation of swelling and edema.
7. Pain in the abdomen and back
This symptom is quite rare and is associated with a highly advanced neoplasm. After the occurrence of infiltrates and metastases to adjacent tissues, pain symptoms of the cancer-affected areas of the body may appear. Most often it means pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis and back – pain in the lumbosacral region in particular.
Other symptoms of cervical cancer:
- loss of appetite
- vaginal bleeding after menopause,
- feeling of chronic fatigue,
- weight loss
- bone ache,
- back pain,
- longer or heavy periods.
Cervical cancer risk factors
While not all are fully understood, there are a number of scientifically proven risk factors for developing cervical cancer. Answer yourself the following questions and check if you are at risk:
- You have an increased risk of infection with the human genital papillomavirus (HPV).
- You are a heavy smoker.
- You don’t have regular Pap smears.
- You are over 35 years of age
- You have been using hormonal contraception for more than five years without interruption (a slight increase in risk).
- You have had cervical cancer in the past.
- Your family has a history of cervical cancer (first degree relative, e.g. sister or mother).
- You have given birth to five or more children.
- During pregnancy, your mother was given the synthetic hormone diethylstilbestrol (DES), a drug used in the 50s in some countries to prevent miscarriage.
Remember, prevention and time are key in the fight against cervical cancer. Have regular Pap smears to detect very early changes in the cervix. Visit your gynecologist regularly for check-ups and if you are in a high-risk group, please inform your doctor. You can also get the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine to minimize the risk of getting sick.
Strong menstrual pain is not always “so beautiful” or a woman’s hypersensitivity. Endometriosis may be behind such a symptom. What is this disease and how is living with it? Listen to the podcast about endometriosis by Patrycja Furs – Endo-girl.