Learn the Common Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancers develop slowly, which makes early detection easier. That, in turn, opens the door to prevention. As long as doctors can catch the disease in the first stages, they can prevent cancerous cells from taking over the cervix, spreading to other parts of the body, and causing widespread damage.

Experts say the single best defense is the annual pelvic exam, during which a physician performs both a Pap test as well as a human papillomavirus (HPV) exam. If the results come out positive, a gynecologic oncologist, who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of female reproductive cancers, can attack the disease in a timely matter.

That’s critical, since early-stage cancer treatments, which often involve surgery, tend to be less detrimental to the body and more effective than chemotherapy or radiation, the recommended treatments for more advanced cancers.

So, what are the symptoms of cervical cancer in the early stages, and how can women spot the disease before it spreads?

What Are the Warning Signs of Cervical Cancer?

For many, an abnormal Pap smear provides the first clue that malignant cells have begun to grow in their cervix. That’s because most women with cervical cancer experience no symptoms during the early stages of the disease.

A smaller percentage — typically those who wait a few years between pelvic exams — notice certain warning signs such as abnormal bleeding or atypical pain. Unfortunately, by the time they notice such symptoms, the cancer may already have progressed to a more advanced stage. That being said, it’s important to know the danger signals and take action as soon as they appear.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

If a woman does notice the following symptoms, she should schedule an appointment with a gynecologist oncologist. Weill Cornell Medicine’s Women’s Health Center can also lend support in providing integrated care:

• Abnormal Bleeding: Any abnormal bleeding demands attention, say doctors. A woman who bleeds between her regular menstrual periods may have cause for concern, as do women who experience post-menopausal bleeding, bleeding after intercourse, or bleeding after douching. While often benign — caused by anything from pregnancy to polyps to hormonal imbalances — irregular bleeding may indicate a more serious problem such as cancer, which is why doctors recommend that women schedule an exam if they notice any unusual spotting or blood flow.
• Unusual Pelvic Pain: If a woman feels pelvic pain outside of her normal menstrual cycle, it may indicate a problem. The pain could be sharp or dull, diffuse or concentrated in one specific area. Either way, pain is the body’s way of sending a warning signal. Other worrying signs? Pain while urinating or having sex.
• Increased Urinary Frequency: Cervical cancer sometimes changes a woman’s urinary habits and bowel movements. Be aware if you have a persistent and increasing need to pee, or if your stools change consistency over an extended period of time. 

What to Do If You Suspect Cervical Cancer

If you have begun evaluating your physician options post-diagnosis, make sure you seek care from a board-certified OB/GYN doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the female reproductive tract, including cervical cancer.

These physicians can provide expert, individualized advice on how to prevent cervical cancer. By educating patients about cervical cancer causes and helping them follow through with annual pelvic exams, they help to lower the incidence of cervical cancer and improve patient outcomes.

The gynecologic oncologists at Weill Cornell Medicine also offer the full range of cervical cancer treatments, from minimally invasive surgery to radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

About Weill Cornell Medicine

Weill Cornell Medicine is a leader in patient care, scientific discovery, and physician education. Our physicians are experts in primary care as well as specialties ranging from allergy and immunology, to oncology, to obstetrics and gynecology, to rehabilitation medicine. 

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