What are the early signs of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the common gynecological malignancies. Its incidence rate has been increasing in recent years, second only to breast cancer, threatening the life and health of female patients. If we want to detect the disease as early as possible, in addition to regular cervical examinations every year, we also need to pay more attention to changes in our bodies. So, what are the early signs of cervical cancer? Let's introduce to you below.

There are usually no symptoms in the early stage, and there is no obvious difference from chronic cervicitis. Sometimes the cervix may even be smooth, especially in elderly women whose cervix has atrophied. Most cervical cancers have a process of developing from "inflammation" to "cancer". Therefore, women should pay extra attention when they have the following symptoms, which are mainly manifested as:

First, abnormal vaginal discharge: Most of them are manifested as increased vaginal discharge, accompanied by changes in color and odor. Symptoms of increased vaginal discharge usually appear later than contact bleeding. Initially, it is normal in color and odor, and gradually becomes serous discharge. In the late stage of cervical cancer, there may be rice-like or watery vaginal discharge.

Second, contact bleeding: after sexual intercourse or constipation, vaginal discharge (leucorrhea) is mixed with drops of blood, sometimes in the form of streaks, sometimes in dark red. Women over 30 years old, who have given birth and are living together with their spouses, should be taken seriously if they suddenly have vaginal spotting after sexual intercourse as an early sign of cervical cancer.

Third, irregular vaginal bleeding: It manifests as a small amount of non-menstrual vaginal bleeding between two menstrual periods and vaginal bleeding after menopause. The former is easily regarded as irregular menstruation, and the latter is easily regarded as a manifestation of menopause. However, this irregular vaginal bleeding is indeed seen in the early stages of cervical cancer and is the first symptom of the patient.

Fourth, urinary tract symptoms: Early symptoms of cervical cancer may include urinary irritation, frequent urination, urgency, and blood in the stool. It may also cause pelvic and lower limb pain and lower limb swelling.

Generally speaking, early stage cervical cancer tumors are small and have not spread or metastasized. The five-year survival rate after treatment is still relatively high. Early stage cervical cancer treatment generally uses radiotherapy and surgery, and is supplemented with Chinese medicine. Surgery is mainly used to treat early stage cervical cancer patients, while radiotherapy is mainly for mid- and late-stage patients.