Cervical Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Cervical cancer affects the cervix, the part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is often caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Routine screening can help find cervical cancer early when treatment is most effective.
In plain words
Cervical Cancer is a health issue. You may feel Abnormal vaginal bleeding, Unusual vaginal, Pelvic pain. A doctor can help. Call for help if it gets bad. There are ways to treat it.
What is Cervical Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment?
Cervical cancer affects the cervix, the part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is often caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Routine screening can help find cervical cancer early when treatment is most effective.
Symptoms
Early symptoms
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding: Bleeding between periods, after intercourse, or after menopause can be an early sign. Menstrual periods may also become heavier or last longer than usual.
- Unusual vaginal discharge: Discharge that is watery, has a strong smell, or contains blood may occur with cervical cancer.
- Pelvic pain: Pain during intercourse or pelvic pain unrelated to menstrual cycles may develop as an early symptom.
- No symptoms in early stages: Cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms in its earliest stages, which is why regular screening is important.
Serious or emergency symptoms
- Difficult or painful urination, or blood in the urine: Advanced cervical cancer can press on or involve the urinary tract, causing pain or difficulty passing urine, or visible blood in the urine. Contact a doctor promptly for assessment.
- Difficult or painful bowel movements, or bleeding from the rectum: Advanced disease can involve the bowel or rectum, making bowel movements painful or difficult, or causing rectal bleeding. Contact a doctor promptly for assessment.
- Swelling of the legs: Swelling in one or both legs can occur when cancer spreads and obstructs lymphatic drainage. Contact a doctor promptly for assessment.
- Dull backache or pain in the abdomen: A persistent dull backache or abdominal pain is described with more advanced cervical cancer. Contact a doctor promptly for assessment.
- Severe or persistent pelvic pain: Intense or persistent pelvic pain can occur with advanced cervical cancer. Contact a doctor promptly for assessment.
- Feeling very tired: Persistent tiredness is listed among the symptoms of advanced cervical cancer. Raise it with a doctor, particularly alongside any of the symptoms above.
Causes
Primary causes
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection: HPV causes most cervical cancers. Certain high-risk types of HPV can lead to changes in cervical cells that may become cancerous over time.
Risk factors
HPV infection
Having HPV (especially high-risk types) is the main risk factor.
Diagnosis
Cervical cancer is usually found either through routine screening or after symptoms prompt examination. An abnormal screening result is followed up with colposcopy — examination of the cervix with a magnifying instrument — and a tissue biopsy, which is what confirms or excludes cancer. If cancer is confirmed, imaging is used to determine how far it has spread (staging), which decides treatment.
Pap test
Collects cells from the cervix to look for abnormal (precancerous) changes before they become cancer. Screening intervals and starting age depend on national guidance and on whether HPV testing is used alongside it.
HPV test
Detects high-risk human papillomavirus, the infection that causes almost all cervical cancer. It can be used alone or together with the Pap test, depending on age and local guidance.
Colposcopy
Examines the cervix under magnification after an abnormal screening result, so that any suspicious area can be identified and sampled.
Biopsy
Removes a small piece of cervical tissue for laboratory examination. This is the test that confirms whether cancer is present. Types include punch biopsy, endocervical curettage, LEEP and cone biopsy.
Treatment
Medication options
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy kills cancer cells or stops them dividing. It is used alongside radiotherapy for many cervical cancers, and on its own for advanced or recurrent disease. The exact combination depends on the stage and on previous treatment.
Targeted therapy
Targeted drugs act on specific features of cancer cells or their blood supply, and are used in advanced or recurrent cervical cancer.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells, and is used in certain advanced or recurrent cervical cancers.
Lifestyle and self-care
- Follow-up care after treatment: Regular follow-up visits check for any sign the cancer has returned and manage late effects of treatment. Keep a record of the treatment you received and tell any new clinician about it.
- Stopping smoking: Smoking is a recognised risk factor for cervical cancer, and stopping is part of reducing ongoing risk.
- HPV vaccination and continued screening: HPV vaccination prevents the infections that cause most cervical cancer. Vaccination does not replace screening — continue attending cervical screening as advised.
Always discuss dosing and treatment changes with your own prescriber.
Possible complications
- Spread of cancer to other organs: Untreated or advanced cervical cancer can spread beyond the cervix to nearby structures such as the bladder and rectum, and to distant organs, which is why prompt assessment of symptoms matters.
- Late effects of treatment: Treatment can have lasting effects including inflammation of the bowel or bladder (proctitis, cystitis), narrowing of the vagina, early loss of ovarian function, pelvic bone weakening, and a small increased risk of second cancers.
When to see a doctor
Routine follow-up
- See a doctor about ANY abnormal vaginal bleeding — bleeding after sex, bleeding between periods, periods that become heavier or longer than usual, and in particular any bleeding after the menopause. Postmenopausal bleeding is never normal and should always be assessed.
- See a doctor about vaginal discharge that is watery, has a strong odour, or contains blood, or about pelvic pain or pain during sex.
- These symptoms have many causes other than cervical cancer, and most turn out not to be cancer — but the only way to know is to be examined. Do not wait to see whether they settle.
Seek emergency care
- Seek urgent medical care for heavy or uncontrolled vaginal bleeding, or if you cannot pass urine at all.
- Seek prompt medical assessment for difficulty or pain passing urine, blood in the urine, painful or difficult bowel movements, rectal bleeding, or new swelling of the legs.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of cervical cancer?
Early signs may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual discharge, or pelvic pain, though often there are no symptoms in early stages.
Can cervical cancer be prevented?
Regular screening and HPV vaccination can help prevent cervical cancer.