What are early warning signs of cervical cancer?

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Cancer develops when the cells in the body divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue. It is one of the leading cause of mortality in millions of people all over the world. There are various types of cancers like melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer etc. depending on its origin.

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To Consult: The Best Gynecologist in Chandigarh

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‍Cervical cancer:

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‍As the name suggests, cervical cancer starts in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Cervical cancer, like most other forms of cancer, shows no symptoms initially. It also develops and spreads at a very slow pace, and hence can be controlled effectively if diagnosed at an early stage.

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‍Causes of cervical cancer:

• Infection by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of cervical cancer. Women who have multiple partners or women who have sex with men having multiple sex partners are at high risk of cervical cancer. An HPV infection is believed to be required for cervical cancer as over 90% of cervical cancer cases are due to HPV infection.
• Besides HPV infection, cigarette smoking (both active and passive) increases the risk of cervical cancer. HPV infected women who smoke are 2-3 times more likely to develop cervical cancer. Besides, cigarettes smoking also aids the development of HPV infection, thereby indirectly increasing the risk.
• Taking oral contraceptives for a prolonged period of time also increases the risk of developing cervical cancer.

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Importance of early diagnosis:

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‍When talking about cervical cancer, early diagnosis is extremely important for effective treatment. Women who are diagnosed with precancerous changes in the cervix are mostly in their 20s or 30s while those diagnosed with cervical cancer are in mid-50s. This shows that the development of cervical cancer is extremely slow and it can be effectively tackled by taking preventive measures.

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To Know More: About Cervical Biopsy

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‍Early warning signs:

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‍Knowing the importance of early diagnosis, it is also important to know the early warning signs of cervical cancer:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the first sign to look out for. It occurs when cancer has spread to nearby tissue. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may refer to:

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• Bleeding after intercourse

• Bleeding in between menstrual cycles

• Heavy flow during periods

• Bleeding after menopause

• Longer periods

• Bleeding after douching

• Bleeding after pelvic exam etc.

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• Another warning sign of cervical cancer is painful sexual intercourse. This is because the cancer cells affect the surrounding tissues.
• Another symptom to look out for is vaginal discharge. A foul-smelling vaginal discharge, pale, watery, or brown in appearance may be a sign of infection in the cervical tumour.
• Like most other types of cancer, cervical cancer too causes unexplained weight loss.
• Pain in the lower back or pelvic region. This occurs when cancer has progressed to some advanced stage and it is likely that you will have noticed other red flags before cancer causes pain in the abdominal area.

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However, the above symptoms are only warning signs and may not necessarily be caused due to cervical cancer. Some other gynaecological problems can also cause the above symptoms. However, it is advised to visit a gynaecologist as soon as you notice the above symptoms.

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Must Read: Most Common Cancers In Women

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‍Cervical cancer treatment:

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‍The treatment of cervical cancer depends on the stage of cancer. Some common treatment methods employed are:

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• Radiation therapy, teletherapy, brachytherapy, and other similar procedures which use x-rays or other high-energy beams to kill cancer cells.
• Cervical conization, which is the removal of a cone-shaped tissue from the cervix.
• Chemotherapy is another commonly used treatment method.
• Surgical methods like hysterectomy, cervicectomy, lymph node dissection, etc. which involve removal of womb, cervix, lymph nodes etc. respectively are also used for treatment.

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Women holding cervical cancer ribbon[/caption]Cervical cancer can be managed and treated very effectively in most cases. At Cloudnine hospitals, our team of gynaecologists and other specialists are highly qualified and experienced in treating cervical and other gynaecological cancers. We also have state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to provide you with the treatment of the highest quality.

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‍To Book an Appointment

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