The cervix is the lower part of the uterus and any cancer developing in that area is called cervical cancer. A common cause of cervical cancer is the strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is an infection that is sexually transmitted.

Let us study some of the most common symptoms of cervical cancer to understand this disease better.

Pain experienced during sexual intercourse
When a woman has sexual intercourse, she may have a painful experience. This could be a symptom of cervical cancer. The pain and discomfort could be because of infections that could probably lead to cervical cancer. Moreover, women have also been known to bleed after having sexual intercourse. This is also a sign of cervical cancer, and should be reported to the doctor immediately.

Sudden weight loss
Weight loss is a common sign of many cancers, and it is the same with cervical cancer. Weight loss in women could be a symptom of cervical cancer especially if the woman is eating a lot and is still continuously losing weight. Women should immediately go to a doctor to seek medical for unexplained weight loss.

Back pain or pelvic pain with no apparent cause
Some women experience back pain or pelvic pain. This could be a symptom of cervical cancer as the pains could be linked to the reproductive organs like the cervix. This symptom has to be taken very seriously as women that experience pelvic pain near the appendix have usually reached the advanced stages of cervical cancer.

Discomfort/pain in the legs
When the cancer starts spreading and gets into its advanced stages, it is likely to affect the pelvic wall by pressing nerves against it. This could be painful for the woman’s legs, which may also end up swelling. Now, this is not always a warning sign for cancer, as the swelling of the legs could be the result of numerous health issues. But, if the woman is also experiencing a swelling along with the pain, this could be a sign of cervical cancer.

Excessive vaginal bleeding
One of the most common symptoms of cervical cancer is excessive vaginal bleeding. This usually happens when the cancer has started spreading to the nearby tissue. Women may experience heavier bleeding during their menstrual periods, or even prolonged menstrual periods. A lot of women disregard this, thinking it is just normal spotting. However, by doing this, they are putting their health at risk. It is always better to report these signs to a doctor as they could be symptoms of cervical cancer.

So, these are some of the most common symptoms of cervical cancer. If one experiences any of these signs, they should immediately get medical assistance and not delay the diagnosis so that they can treat the condition quickly.