Signs of cervical cancer are often overlooked?

This is an automatically translated article.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women. However, in the early stages, cervical cancer often causes "superficial" symptoms that many people ignore. So what are the signs of cervical cancer that you need to be concerned about?

1. What is cervical cancer? How many stages of development?

Cervical cancer is known to be the most common cancer in women, especially for the age group 30 and older. In Vietnam in 2018, there were nearly 4,200 new cases of cervical cancer and more than 2,400 deaths due to this "weird" disease.
Cervical cancer is 99.7% caused by HPV virus - a virus that causes papillomavirus on the human body - which can be spread through sex. There are more than 100 types of HPV virus and about 14 types cause cervical cancer, especially HPV strains 16 and 18. These virus strains are found in 70% of cases of cervical cancer patients. .
According to health experts, cervical cancer is divided into 5 advanced stages, including:
Stage 0: At this stage, the patient hardly shows any abnormal symptoms on the body. body, can only be detected through early cancer screening. Patients with cervical cancer, when treated right from the stage 0 can ensure a 5-year survival rate of up to 96%. Stage 1: Cervical cancer cells in this stage have developed relatively comprehensively, but are still completely localized in the cervical area. If treated at this stage, the 5-year survival rate ranges from 80% to 90%. Stage 2: The tumor inside the cervix will begin to gradually spread to other areas and invade down to 1/3 of the vagina below, but not to the pelvis. In stage II, treated patients will have a 50% to 60% survival rate over 5 years. Stage 3: Cancer cells in this stage have grown extremely strongly, not only invading the vagina, they can also invade the pelvis and ureters, making the chance of survival more than 5 years of the disease. patients after treatment are only 25% to 30%. Stage 4: This is the final stage of cervical cancer, diagnosed when the cancer cells have spread far outside the pelvis, even invading the rectum, bladder... The 5-year survival rate of patients after treatment at this stage is very low, up to 15%.

2. Cervical cancer and worrying signs

Cervical cancer in the early stages often has very few symptoms, and this also makes patients develop subjective psychology about personal health. Therefore, it is really necessary to read and remember the signs of cervical cancer.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding even without a period This is one of the most common signs of cervical cancer: if it's not for your period, but you have regular vaginal bleeding. Menopause, especially after having sex, or going through menopause... you are at risk for cervical cancer.
Pain during sex can also be caused by cervical cancer Pain and discomfort during sex can come from many causes. However, it may also be the most often overlooked sign of cervical cancer. If pain during sex often recurs, you should check for gynecological problems.
Pelvic and lower back pain often Pain in the pelvic area, lower back often dull or sharp pain even when you don't have your period, this is most likely a sign indicates that you have a gynecological problem, which includes cervical cancer.
Menstrual cycle disorder Cervical cancer also causes a disorder and imbalance of a series of hormones related to the menstrual cycle, thus causing irregular ovulation. If you often miss your period or your period is dark in color, you should be wary.
Pain and swelling in the legs Swollen and painful legs may not seem related to the cervix, but this is a sign of cervical cancer to watch out for. If the tumor in the cervix grows strongly, it will begin to press on the nerves and blood vessels in the area around the pelvis, causing the patient's legs to swell and feel unusual pain. .

3. Why is cervical cancer screening more and more important?

Currently, cervical cancer can be detected even at stage 0 by the advanced and outstanding development of Medicine. In fact, cervical cancer is difficult to detect early through symptoms. Most of the new cases when detected are in the later stages of the disease, making treatment and patient survival more limited.
Cervical cancer screening can help patients detect early disease or possible disease risk, so that appropriate treatment or prevention measures can be taken.
It can be said that signs of cervical cancer focus more on menstruation and gynecological health in women. In addition to early detection of the disease through signs, you should perform regular cancer screening to control your health more firmly.
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