Beyond Cervical Cancer Symptoms: A Guide to Women’s Health
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Cervical cancer is an important global health issue for women, and early detection saves lives. Recognising the symptoms of cervical cancer and acting upon them with a timely evaluation with your medical professional can significantly affect how treatment will result. Being able to access care and treatment is a large contributing factor, but many women still forego screening or ignore early warning signs that make treatment challenging and reduce survival. With Cellmaflex, managing health is easier. Women can quickly book cervical screening appointments online without waiting on phone calls, access their complete medical history anytime, and find nearby trusted doctors, pharmacies, labs, or imaging centres instantly. In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about cervical cancer – its definition, causes and risk factors, cervical cancer symptoms, complications, diagnosis, treatment options, prevention strategies, and how Cellmaflex can help women take control of their health effectively. What Is Cervical Cancer? Cervical cancer starts in the cervical cells, which line the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. In most cases, the normal cervical cells will change into abnormal cells as a result of a persistent infection with a high-risk HPV; this virus can remain in the body for years before the development of these abnormal cells. If abnormal cells are not detected and managed before they progress even further, they can invade deeper layers of the cervix and spread to neighbouring tissues or organs and become invasive cervical cancer. Cervical cancer remains a major global public health challenge. The World Health Organisation estimated around 660,000 cervical cancer cases and 350,000 deaths related to the disease in 2022. Cervical cancer makes up a considerable portion of the cancer cases and deaths in females in the Caribbean region. Cervical carcinoma accounts for about 13% of all diagnosed cancers in Caribbean women, and approximately 10.4% of cancer deaths in the region. The table below provides a snapshot of some Caribbean cervical cancer epidemiology estimates: Region / Country Cervical Cancer Stats Region of the Americas ~78,000 new cases annually; ~40,000 deaths annually Latin America & Caribbean Incidence: 15.1 per 100,000 women; Mortality: up to 18.3 per 100,000 Caribbean (overall) Screening coverage past 3 years: ~56%; HPV types 16 & 18 cause ~70% of cases North America Incidence: 6.4 per 100,000 women; Mortality: ≈2.2 per 100,000 PAHO 2030 targets 90% of girls vaccinated by age 15; 70% of women screened by ages 35 & 45; 90% of women with precancer/invasive cancer treated Causes & Risk Factors The dominant cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV, mainly types 16 & 18. Nonetheless, several other causes can increase the overall risk of developing cervical cancer, such as: Smoking, which harms cells in your cervix and negatively affects your immune response. A suppressed immune system (for example, due to HIV infection or the use of immunosuppressive agents). Long-term oral contraceptive use (greater than 5 years). Multiple full-term pregnancies or early first pregnancy. Family history of cervical cancer, which may indicate a genetic predisposition. Women can use Cellmaflex to track their medical and family history digitally, ensuring that risk factors are not overlooked during consultations. The platform’s ability to share health records securely with specialists also means care is more coordinated and personalised. Cervical Cancer Symptoms Recognising cervical cancer symptoms early can lead to better outcomes. Unfortunately, early stages often present no noticeable signs, which is why regular screening is essential. As the disease progresses, cervical cancer symptoms may include: Watery or bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and can have a foul odour Vaginal bleeding after sex, between menstrual periods or after menopause Pain during sex (dyspareunia) If cancer has spread to nearby tissues or organs, symptoms may include: Difficult or painful urination, sometimes with blood in your urine Diarrhoea, pain or bleeding from your rectum when pooping Fatigue, loss of weight and appetite A general feeling of illness Dull backache or swelling in your legs Pelvic/abdominal pain Complications If left untreated, cervical cancer can extend beyond the cervix to affect nearby organs such as the bladder, rectum, and pelvic walls. As the disease progresses, it may potentially spread to organs far away from its original location (e.g. the lungs, liver or bones), causing complications throughout many organ systems. Untreated, these secondary complications cause additional pain and suffering and have emotional and psychological consequences for patients and their families. Cervical cancer progression can lead to serious complications, including: Severe pelvic pain: Due to the growth of cervical tumours that can press against nerve endings and supportive tissues around the tumour. Kidney issues: If the ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder) are blocked it can lead to hydronephrosis (swelling of one or both kidneys due to a buildup of urine) or obstruction and loss of kidney function, and ultimately renal failure. Heavy or persistent bleeding: Advanced cervical tumours can penetrate blood vessels in the cervix or uterus and lead to persistent medication-resistant chronic anaemia, and its subsequent fatigue. Bowel and bladder dysfunction: If the cancer spreads to organs adjacent to the cervix, patients may have bladder issues such as incontinence and haematuria (bloody urine), or rectal bleeding. Bone pain or fractures: If the tumour or metastases (cancer cells that have spread from a primary tumor to a different part of the body through the bloodstream or lymph system) spread to bones, patients will experience severe local pain and potential pathologic fractures. Respiratory problems: Lung metastases can lead to respiratory issues, such as breathlessness, a cough which may be persistent and/or dry, or pleural effusion (build-up of fluid in the lung cavity). Liver problems: Liver involvement can cause jaundice, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Lymphatic obstruction: Cancer spreading to pelvic lymph nodes may cause leg swelling (lymphedema). Emotional and psychological stressors: People with advanced cancer often do experience anxiety, fear of recurrence, depression, and other mental health
