What Are the Signs of Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Almost all cervical cancer cases are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV)—types that are largely vaccine-preventable.

Early detection methods are highly effective at catching pre-cancerous changes to the cervix before they get more serious. However, this doesn't mean the risk of cervical cancer has vanished. In the US, each year, an estimated 13,000 new cases are diagnosed, and over 4,000 people will die from the disease.

In the early stages, there are typically no signs of cervical cancer. The symptoms described with cervical cancer usually come with advanced disease. Read on to learn more about cervical cancer signs.

What Is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer develops when cells on your cervix, which is the very bottom part of your uterus, mutate. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by an HPV infection. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI); almost 42 million Americans have the virus.

Most times the virus will go away on its own within two years without health problems. However, certain types of HPV can lead to cancer of the cervix (as well as cancer of the mouth, throat, anus, and penis).

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally. It used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women in the US, but routine screenings have dramatically decreased its numbers in the US.

The overall five-year survival rate for cervical cancer is 67%. However, this number jumps to 92% when the cancer is detected at the earliest, most treatable stages.

Treatment becomes more complicated when cancer is more advanced. Depending on how advanced the illness is, you might need surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of treatments.

Cervical Cancer Detection

Cervical cancer is easily detected through testing, even at the earliest stages. A healthcare provider takes a sample of cells from your cervix and sends them to a lab for analysis. This is an exam more commonly known as a Pap smear. The test can even identify precancerous cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.

While healthcare providers are adept at spotting cervical cancer, detecting it yourself is a lot more complicated. There is no self-exam to check for disease.

Cancer in the cervix develops slowly and silently, and symptoms only show up when the disease is quite advanced. Without routine testing, you might not know what's going on with your body.

Symptoms and Signs of Cervical Cancer

Signs of the cancer will vary depending on how advanced it is.

Early Warning Signs

At its earliest stages, cervical cancer typically has no symptoms at all.

The fact that cervical cancer doesn't make its presence known until its later stages means that staying on top of your regular health care is essential. Just because your cervix isn't bothering you doesn't mean that there isn't a chance something is wrong.

For cervical cancer to result in symptoms that you notice, cancer will have to spread. The following symptoms are some signs of cervical cancer in its later stages.

Vaginal Bleeding

One symptom of cervical cancer is unusual vaginal bleeding. Some examples of bleeding related to cervical cancer are:

• Blood spots or light bleeding between or following periods
• Menstrual bleeding that is longer and heavier than usual
• Bleeding after intercourse or a pelvic examination
• Bleeding after menopause

While any bleeding other than normal menstrual bleeding should get your attention, it doesn't automatically mean you have cancer.

Other reasons for vaginal bleeding include STIs or endometriosis. A healthcare provider can help you get appropriate treatment for unusual bleeding.

Unusual Vaginal Discharge

Most times, vaginal discharge is perfectly normal. Your cervix and vagina are lined with mucus membranes. The membranes produce the typical vaginal discharge that protects the delicate tissues and provides lubrication during sexual activity.

A disruption to the reproductive system can change the appearance, consistency, or odor of discharge. This includes cervical cancer, but any infection—including yeast infections—can also affect discharge.

Changes in your discharge that could point to cervical cancer include:

• Increased discharge
• Discharge that doesn't stop
• Watery discharge that is heavy and has a foul odor or contains blood (might be pale red, pink, or brown)

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain can be described as pelvic heaviness or abdominal bloating. The pain can also be sharp, stabbing, dull, steady, or fleeting, meaning it comes and goes.

There are many possible explanations for abdominal pain other than cervical cancer, including injury or infection. But you should speak to a healthcare provider about new or worsening pain as soon as possible.

Pain During Sex

The pain might also come during sex. Contact with the tumor or the surrounding affected area with a penis, finger, or sex toy might result in new or unusual discomfort.

There are other causes for painful sex, including:

• Vaginal infections
• Endometriosis
• Vaginal injury or inflammation
• Past surgeries

Still, a healthcare provider can figure out the cause and offer any necessary treatment.

Signs of Even More Advanced Cervical Cancer

It is possible for cervical cancer to spread to the vagina, lymph nodes, bladder, intestines, lungs, bones, and liver. When this happens, the symptoms may be more severe depending on the tissues and organs to which the disease has spread. These symptoms can include:

• Back pain
• Bone pain or fractures
• Fatigue
• Leaking of urine or feces from the vagina
• Leg pain
• Loss of appetite
• Single swollen leg
• Weight loss

These issues can also be related to a number of other conditions; a healthcare provider can diagnose the underlying cause of these symptoms.

Preventing Cervical Cancer

Besides using barrier methods during sex, you can take the following steps to dramatically reduce or prevent your risk of developing cervical cancer.

Get the HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine is highly effective in protecting against the types of HPV that cause 90% of cervical cancers. The FDA-approved vaccine is for people of all sexes between the ages of 9 and 45, though it's most effective when administered in two doses around the age of 12. If you are older, you may need a three-dose series.

Since 2006, when HPV vaccines were first used in the US, researchers have seen notable changes in the incidence of cervical cancer. One study of US cancer registry data showed a decline in cervical cancer rates from 1999 to 2017. In particular, the decline was due to women aged 15-20 getting the HPV vaccine.

Get Your Pap Smear

Keeping up with your regular cervical cancer screenings is crucial in preventing precancers from developing into cancer. The cervical cancer screening guidelines as of 2023 are:

• For ages younger than 21: No screening
• For ages 21 to 29: Pap smears every three years for those aged 21 to 29
• For ages 30 to 65, one of the following: A Pap smear only every three years, an HPV test only every five years, or an HPV test and Pap smear every five years
• For ages over 65: No screening after thorough negative test results

Regular HPV testing is recommended because knowing HPV is present tells a healthcare provider to be extra vigilant. Ask a healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your health or your risk of getting cervical cancer. They can help you assess your risks and advise you on steps to stay healthy.

A Quick Review

Nearly all cases of cervical cases are caused by a virus human papillomavirus (HPV). Symptoms often don't show up until the late stages of cervical cancer. The five-year survival rate of cervical cancer dramatically increases if it's detected early.

Therefore, it's important to get regularly screened for HPV by getting regular HPV tests and/or Pap smears. Talk to a healthcare provider to find out what kind of screening method is best for you.