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Understanding Cervical Cancer

Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms?

In its early stages, cervical cancer causes no pain or other symptoms. That's why it's vital for women to get regular pelvic examinations and Pap smears to detect the cancer in its earliest stage when it's treatable.

The first identifiable symptoms of the disease are likely to include:

• Watery or bloody vaginal discharge, sometimes heavy and foul-smelling.
• Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between menstrual periods, or after menopause; menstrual periods may be heavier and last longer than normal.
• Pain during intercourse.

If the cancer has spread to nearby tissues, symptoms may include:

• Difficult urination and possible kidney failure.
• Painful urination, sometimes with blood in urine.
• Dull backache or swelling in the legs.
• Diarrhea, or pain or bleeding from the rectum upon defecation.
• Fatigue, loss of weight and appetite, and general feeling of illness.

Call Your Doctor If:

You have abnormal bleeding, bleeding after intercourse, vaginal discharge or any other symptoms that last more than two weeks without explanation. You should have a complete gynecological examination that includes a Pap smear.

NOTE: Any vaginal bleeding after menopause should be brought to your doctor's attention right away. The cause may simply be vaginal dryness or a benign uterine polyp, but vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of cervical and uterine cancer.

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