Cervical cancer is a disease that starts in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus. It usually happens because of a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). Many people get HPV, and most of the time, the body fights it off. However, sometimes the virus stays and causes changes in the cells of the cervix that can lead to cancer.

How Cervical Cancer Develops

Cervical cancer develops slowly. In the early stages, there may be no clear signs or pain. Because the early signs are not strong, some women might not know something is wrong. This is why regular health tests are very important. Tests like Pap smears and HPV tests help find changes in the cervix before they become serious.

What Are the Silent Signs of Cervical Cancer?

Some signs of cervical cancer are very subtle. They might not cause a lot of pain at first. Here are some signs that women should not ignore:

Painful Urination

One sign that might seem minor is painful urination, also known as dysuria. When cervical cancer spreads near the bladder or urethra, it can cause irritation. This irritation may lead to pain or a burning feeling when you urinate. While many other problems can also cause painful urination, it is important to pay attention to this symptom if it happens often.

Unusual Vaginal Discharge

Another sign is unusual vaginal discharge. The discharge may look watery or pink or have a slight smell and can even be bloody. It might not be very heavy, but it can be a sign of a problem with the cervix. If it persists for a few months, it should be evaluated.

Pelvic Pain

Some women might feel a dull pain in the pelvic area. This pain may come and go, and it is not always strong. Even mild pain that does not go away should be checked by a doctor.

Bleeding After Sex

Bleeding after sex is common and does not necessarily imply that the woman has cervical cancer. However, it is a typical symptom of cervical cancer. This type of bleeding should not be ignored. It might happen because the cervix is irritated or injured by changes in its cells.

Pain During Sex

Some women may feel pain during sexual intercourse. This can happen if the cervix or nearby tissues are affected by cancer.

Lower Back Pain

A mild, steady pain in the lower back can also be an indication. It might feel like an ache that does not improve with rest.

When to See a Doctor

If you notice one or more of these signs, it is very important to see a doctor. Early detection often means that the cancer can be treated more successfully. Even if the signs seem small, they should be checked. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and may suggest some tests.

What Tests Might Be Done?

Pap Smear: This test looks at cells from the cervix to see if there are any changes.
HPV Test: This test checks for the presence of human papillomavirus.
Colposcopy: If there is a problem, the doctor might use a special microscope to look at the cervix.
Biopsy: A small piece of tissue may be taken from the cervix to check for cancer cells.

These tests help find the problem early, even when there are no strong symptoms.

Treatment

If cervical cancer is found, the treatment will depend on how far it has spread. The main treatments include:

Surgery: Removing the cancer from the cervix is a common treatment, especially in the early stages.
Radiation Therapy: This treatment uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Special medicines are used to kill cancer cells. Sometimes, doctors use a mix of these treatments to help control the cancer.

Prevention and How to Lower Your Risk of Cervical Cancer

There are steps you can take to lower your risk of getting cervical cancer:

Get the HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that are most likely to cause cervical cancer. It is best to get the vaccine before you are exposed to HPV. Most health experts recommend that children get the vaccine when they are preteens.

Keep Up With Regular Screenings

Regular screening tests, like Pap smears and HPV tests, are very important. These tests help find changes in the cervix early, when they can be treated more easily. Follow your doctor’s advice on how often you should have these tests.

Practice Safe Sex

Using condoms and limiting the number of sexual partners can help reduce your risk of HPV infection. While these steps do not eliminate the risk completely, they do help lower it.

Do Not Smoke

Smoking weakens your body’s ability to fight off infections like HPV. Quitting smoking or not starting in the first place can lower your risk of cervical cancer.