9 Common Signs Of Cervical Cancer You May Be Overlooking

We all shake in our boots when we hear the word "cancer." While incredibly common, it's not an illness any of us would wish upon our greatest enemy. With new treatments constantly in the works, many cancers that were previously a death sentence are now treatable, and cervical cancer is one of them. According to the American Cancer Society, cervical cancer used to be among the top causes of female cancer-related death in the United States. Ever since the Pap test was utilized, however, the death rate has dropped significantly.

In case you're in need of a quick anatomy lesson, the cervix is located at the bottom of your uterus, connecting your uterus to the vagina's opening (via Cleveland Clinic). It resembles the shape of a donut, and it serves as a passage for fluids that travel in and out of the uterus. The cervix can also contract and open, which means it plays a crucial role during pregnancy and childbirth, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Cervical cancer refers to precancerous cells that start to develop on the cervix's surface. While these cells won't always turn cancerous, early detection means that they can be removed before they start to cause any trouble. Common cervical cancer symptoms can often seem like nothing to worry about, so read on to discover some of the symptoms of cervical cancer you might be overlooking — and if any of them apply to you, see your doctor ASAP.

According to the Mayo Clinic, painful sex is pretty common, and plenty of women experience this at least once during their lifetime. Painful intercourse is referred to as dyspareunia, and refers to any vaginal pain you experience before, during, or post-intercourse. This includes experiencing pain during penetration or intense pain during thrusting. Experiencing an aching or burning sensation is also a cause for concern, as well as pain that doesn't cease after having sex.

Now, obviously, many things can cause pain during sex, including a lack of lubrication, infections, or vaginal trauma sustained while giving birth, to name only a few. Speaking to Prevention, Dr. Lauren Streicher, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's medical school, explained that the cause is often nothing serious, and this is why many women overlook this common symptom.

If you experience pain during sex, you should absolutely get it checked out, because a tumor growing on the cervix can cause all these symptoms as well. In the case of cervical cancer, painful sex typically means that the cancer is in an advanced stage. Medanta reports that the cause of the pain is usually due to the tumor spreading to the reproductive organs. Don't suffer in silence. If you experience painful sex, speak to your doctor ASAP.

Women deal with vaginal discharge for most of their lives, so it makes sense that an increase in discharge doesn't always automatically set off alarm bells. According to Medical News Today, an increase in discharge could be the result of something as normal as ovulation or arousal, but it can also be caused by some infections and hormonal imbalances. According to Healthline, increased discharge that has a funky smell is often caused by bacterial vaginosis. The thing is, these exact symptoms could also indicate that you have cervical cancer.

Speaking to Prevention, Dr. Kecia Gaither, a double board-certified physician in OB-GYN, warned that any discharge that has a watery consistency paired with a foul odor should be checked out. "This happens when the cancer begins to lack oxygen, causing an infection that leads to discharge and a strange smell," Dr. Jan Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer at MEDIGO, told Cosmopolitan. "While vaginal discharge can be a symptom of many other things, vaginal discharge that persists over a long period of time is definitely worth seeing a GP about," he adds.

Painful urination, also referred to as dysuria, is commonly caused by urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, and even certain hygiene products people use in their genital area (via Healthline). But painful urination is also a common symptom of cervical cancer.

Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Dr. Sarika Gupta explained that experiencing a tight sensation while urinating along with any burning or stinging are warning signs you shouldn't ignore. In the case of cervical cancer, these symptoms typically indicate that the cancer is no longer just affecting the cervix and has made its way to the surrounding tissue.

Having painful bowel movements is another common symptom of cervical cancer that is often attributed to constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and other conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (via WebMD). When cervical cancer spreads to the bladder, colon, and kidneys, it can result in painful bowel movements, according to Medanta. The tumors put pressure on these areas, and this causes blockages that prevent smooth bowel movements. If you experience any of these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, it's imperative you speak to your doctor. While a myriad of things can cause them, it's always good to rule out cancer first.

If you're under a lot of stress, you might think that the constant nausea you experience is simply your anxiety messing with you (via Cleveland Clinic), but gynecologist Dr. Taraneh Shirazian warns that it's also a common symptom of cervical cancer. Nausea typically shows up when cervical cancer is in a pretty advanced stage, as Shirazian told Women's Health. As the cancer progresses, the cervix can start to swell, making its way into your abdominal cavity. This leads to compression of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract, which leads to constant nausea.

For the same reasons, you might experience indigestion as well (via The Guardian Life). These symptoms are easy to overlook since they are so common and often caused by eating certain foods, feeling anxious or stressed, pregnancy, obesity, smoking, and even some medications (via the NHS). If you constantly experience indigestion, pay a visit to your doctor.

One of the things that make cervical cancer so scary is that its symptoms can be so mundane, many of us don't think twice about it until it's too late. The good news: cervical cancer can be treated successfully if it's caught early enough, so always pay attention to any unusual symptoms you experience.

According to Medical News Today, the basic treatment for cervical cancer in its early stages is surgery. In rare cases, doctors recommend patients undergo chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before they operate. Usually, your doctor will suggest radiation therapy post-surgery to prevent the cancer from recurring, or if they suspect that there might be some leftover cancer cells in your body. If the cancer is in an advanced stage, doctors typically don't recommend surgery, and would instead advise you to opt for chemotherapy or radiation therapy. In some cases, they might recommend both of these treatments.

The American Cancer Society suggests thoroughly discussing your treatment options with your doctor. Don't be afraid to ask questions: You deserve to know what to expect from the treatment, as well as the side effects that will accompany it. It's always a good idea to get a second opinion as well — if there's time. You can, of course, also choose not to receive any treatment, especially if the risks outweigh the benefits. If you choose to go this route, you can still get treatment for the painful symptoms you're experiencing.