Cancer is a disease that has affected far too many lives, either directly or indirectly. Any type of cancer is a difficult issue but there is one particular type that researchers say is the trickiest to identify.
Healthcare experts talk about cervical cancer and the number of symptoms that may be associated with it. The problem is, that many of those symptoms are also similar to other symptoms that may be more common.
As a result, many women with cervical cancer are not diagnosed until the disease is well advanced. Perhaps they did not get checked out by a doctor because they thought it was just a minor issue, but that can affect how easily the condition can be treated.
That is why researchers want people to understand four key indicators that the cervix may have a problem with cancer. They want women around the world to pay attention.
1. Abnormal Bleeding – It is not uncommon for women to experience a problem with irregular bleeding at times. It doesn’t matter when it occurs, but if you have the issue, it could be a sign of something serious.
Some of the less serious issues could include taking the wrong type of contraception but serious conditions, including endometriosis, could be a problem.
The same unusual bleeding patterns that could be a problem in other cases could also be a sign of cervical cancer. It is important to talk to your doctor about unusual bleeding that happens after sex or between periods.
2. Painful Intercourse – If you experience pain while being intimate, it may be a sign of cervical cancer. This doesn’t have to be serious pain in order to be an issue, some might even just describe it as being a type of discomfort.
There are many issues that could result in painful intercourse and some are nowhere near as serious as cancer. That doesn’t mean that the issue should be dismissed, because it could be cervical cancer, and even if it isn’t, it may be a condition that is treatable.
3. Unusual Discharge – If you have a vaginal discharge that is an unusual color or odor, it may be a problem that needs to be addressed. If it is normal, it should not have an odor to it and should be clear or white. That can also change during the menstrual cycle.
If the discharge is brown, dark yellow, gray, or green, or if it smells fishy or foul, it should be checked out by a doctor. This could include issues of itching or a foamy, chunky discharge.
4. Pelvic or Lower Back Pain – This type of pain can come from an injury or trauma but it may also be a degenerative condition, including disc disease, spinal stenosis, or arthritis. Some women complain of lower back pain while they are menstruating.
In addition to those common issues, pelvic pain can be caused by a UTI, ovarian cyst, kidney stones, or muscular conditions. When it comes combined with any of the other symptoms that were mentioned previously, it should be discussed with your doctor as it could be a sign of cancer.