What are the early warning signs of cervical cancer?
Ask the doctor
Q. My vaginal discharge seems to have blood in it, and my sister says this could be a sign of cervical cancer. Should I be concerned?
A. Yes, blood-tinged vaginal discharge is one of a panoply of possible early signs of cervical cancer, which the American Cancer Society says is diagnosed in more than 13,000 American women each year.
Early cervical cancer is often silent, so women may not suspect anything is amiss. But talk to your doctor about what you’ve noticed, as well as other potential cervical cancer symptoms such as
- heavier vaginal discharge than usual
- spotting or bleeding between periods
- menstrual flow that’s heavier or lasts longer than usual
- bleeding or pain during or after intercourse
- vaginal bleeding after menopause
- lingering, unexplained pelvic or back pain.
To be clear, all of these symptoms could also be due to other conditions — or mean nothing at all. That’s why it’s so important to tell your gynecologist what you’re experiencing.
Vaccinating against human papillomavirus (HPV) can prevent cervical cancer, since this virus causes most cases of the disease. The vaccine is routinely recommended for girls and women up to age 26. Cervical cancer can also be prevented or detected early with screening, using Pap smears, which look for abnormal cells, testing for HPV infection, or a combination of both.
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