Most women diagnosed with the precancerous changes in the cervix are in their 20’s and 30’s, but the average age of women when they are diagnosed with cervical cancer is the mid 50s.

This difference in the age at which precancerous changes are most frequently diagnosed and the age at which cancer is diagnosed highlights the slow progression of this disease and the reason why it can be prevented if adequate steps are taken.

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, like after intercourse, between menstrual periods, or after menopause, menstrual periods can be heavier and last longer than normal.
• Pain during intercourse.
• Vaginal discharge and odor.
• Pelvic pain.
• Difficulty urinating, pain when urinating, or blood in urine.
• Severe back pain and swelling in legs.
• Diarrhea or pain or bleeding from the rectum upon defecation.
• Fatigue, loss of weight and appetite, and feeling of weakness.
• Swollen abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

The causes of cervical cancer are as follows:

• HPV (human papillomavirus): It is a sexually transmitted virus. There are various types of HPV. Cervical cancer-causing HPV types are nearly always transmitted as a result of sexual contact with an infected individual. Women who have had many sexual partners generally have a higher risk of becoming infected with HPV. This develops the risk of cervix cancer.

• Smoking: This increases the risk of cervical and other cancers.

• Weak Immunity System: Weak immunity can also increase the risk of cervical cancer. And also increase the risk of the patient that has undergone a transplant, or undergone some immunosuppressive medications.

• Several Pregnancies: Women who have had at least three children in separate pregnancies are more likely to develop cervical cancer, compared with women who have never had children.

• Birth Control Pills: Long-term use of contraceptive pills increase the rate of cervical cancer in women.

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Diagnosis is done by a simple procedure called colposcopy. A colposcopy lets your doctor get a look at your cervix. The exam takes 5 to 10 minutes. Colposcopy is done by magnifying instrument called a colposcope.

A patient is told to lie on an exam table. An instrument named a speculum is used to keep the vagina open. colposcope is used to examine cervix and vulva.

Other tests such as cervical smear tests, HPV DNA tests, blood tests, CT scans, MRI, biopsy, and pelvic ultrasounds are also used as diagnostic methods.