By EKalman February 24, 2022 - 5:41am

Cervical cancer is one of some cancers that can be avoided. According to the World Health Organization, certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause 99 percent of cervical cancer cases - types that are largely vaccine-preventable. Early detection methods are also quite effective at catching precancerous abnormalities in the cervix before they progress to a more dangerous stage.

However, this does not rule out the possibility of cervical cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 14,100 people in the United States will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2022, with 4,280 people dying from the disease.

Cervical cancer patients' symptoms vary depending on how far the disease has progressed.

Cervical cancer is caused by mutated cells on the cervix, which is the very lowest section of your uterus. An HPV infection is responsible for nearly all occurrences of cervical cancer. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, with almost 42 million people infected. The virus will usually go away on its own in two years without causing any health complications. Certain forms of HPV, on the other hand, can cause cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the world's fourth most prevalent malignancy among women. It used to be the top cause of cancer death among women in the United States, but over the last 40 years, standard screenings have substantially reduced the number of cases.

Cervical cancer is easy to identify, even in its early stages, thanks to testing. A Pap smear is a procedure in which your doctor takes a sample of cells from your cervix and sends them to a lab for analysis. The test can even detect precancers, which are cervix cell abnormalities that, if not treated properly, can progress to cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer can be detected by doctors and lab technicians, but identifying it yourself is far more difficult. There is no way to check for this disease on one's own. Cervical cancer develops slowly and quietly. You might not know what's going on with your body if you don't undergo regular testing. Symptoms do not appear until the disease has progressed further.

Cervical cancer must be significant enough to cause symptoms that are obvious to the patient. If cancer progresses to the point of forming large lesions or tumors, you may begin to notice certain symptoms, such as:

1. Pain during sex
Pain could also occur during sex. Because cervical cancer can cause cervicitis and damage to the cervix and surrounding vaginal tissue, it's important to take precautions.

Contact with a penis, finger, or sex toy on the tumor or the surrounding affected area may cause new or unusual discomfort. Other causes of painful sex include vaginal infections, endometriosis, and changes caused by delivery or menopause, but your doctor can determine the cause and provide necessary treatment.

2. Vaginal bleeding
A typical indication of advanced cervical cancer is unusual vaginal bleeding. The cancerous tissue is frequently friable, which means it is delicate and quickly bleeds. The aberrant blood vessels that grow are prone to bleeding. Damage and bleeding might occur if the invasion spreads to nearby normal tissue.

3. Pelvic pain
Pain is frequently associated with advanced cancer that has progressed outside the uterus and into the pelvis or abdominal region. Pelvic heaviness or stomach bloating are common symptoms.

Keep in mind that stomach pain can be caused by a variety of things other than cervical cancer, such as injury or infection. However, if your discomfort is new or intensifying, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

4. Unusual vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge is, for the most part, entirely natural. However, a thick, bloody vaginal discharge with a foul odor could be a sign of cervical cancer. The discharge could be mild, pink, or brown in color, and it could occur before or after your period. Another indication of cervical cancer is an increase in vaginal discharge.