Cancer Cervical Cancer Symptoms & Causes Cervical Cancer Guide Cervical Cancer Guide Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Symptoms of Cervical Cancer By Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed is a freelance medical writer, cancer educator and patient advocate. Learn about our editorial process Lisa Fayed Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD on November 20, 2020 linkedin Douglas A. Nelson, MD, is double board-certified in medical oncology and hematology. He was a physician in the US Air Force and now practices at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he is an associate professor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Douglas A. Nelson, MD on November 20, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms Rare Symptoms Complications When to See the Doctor Next in Cervical Cancer Guide Causes and Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer Though there usually are no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer in its early stages, there can be and it's important to be aware of them. They vary from one woman to another but may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge, and pain. While screening tests are considered very good at detecting precancerous changes, they are not 100 percent effective. Be attuned to your body and anything that is out of your norm, and raise any concerns with your doctor—even if your screening tests are normal. Illustration by Verywell Frequent Symptoms Cervical cancer doesn't usually cause symptoms until the tumor is invasive. Early symptoms do not usually occur, but if they do, the most common ones include the following. Bleeding Bleeding is the most common first symptom of cervical cancer. Bleeding caused by cervical cancer can take several forms including: Abnormal vaginal bleeding: Bleeding between menstrual periods is a common early symptom of cervical cancer and can occur at any time during your cycle. This bleeding, which comes from the uterus, is sometimes fairly light and can, at times, be easily overlooked. Make sure to talk to your doctor if you notice even a small spot of blood at a time when you are not having your period. Bleeding after menopause is also concerning, and you should see a doctor if you have any bleeding after you have stopped having your period. Bleeding after intercourse: Bleeding after intercourse, even if just a small amount, should be evaluated. Post-coital bleeding may be related to another condition, such as an infection, but should always prompt a visit to your doctor—even if the bleeding is light. Excess menstrual bleeding: Periods that are heavier or that last for longer than your normal periods are concerning, and you should mention this to your doctor. Keep in mind that every woman is different. For example, periods that last for five days could be of concern for someone whose periods usually last for two days or for someone whose periods usually last for nine days. Pelvic Pain Pelvic pain is another symptom of cervical cancer. The pain or pressure can be felt anywhere in the abdomen below the navel. Many women describe the pelvic pain as a dull ache that may include sharp pains as well. Pain may be intermittent or constant and is typically worse during or after intercourse. Vaginal Discharge Abnormal vaginal discharge is another possible sign of cervical cancer. There may or may not be an odor associated with the discharge, and it may be of any color, light or heavy, intermittent or constant. Overall, vaginal discharge due to cancer tends to be reddish brown in color, but this can vary significantly. Rare Symptoms If cervical cancer grows, it can produce pressure on the other organs in the pelvic region, which include the bladder and the lower part of the colon. The pressure can interfere with the function of these organs and can also cause generalized pain and compression of the nerves and vessels in nearby regions. Back pain: Back pain, which can extend to the legs, may be caused by the pressure of the enlarging tumor on your spine or nerves. In these instances, your doctor would likely be able to see the tumor encroaching on the nerves or the spine with an imaging test, such as an X-ray or a CT scan. Leg swelling: Swelling in one or both legs can occur if the tumor puts pressure on the lymph nodes or on the veins, causing a backup of blood and fluid in the vessels of the legs. The swelling may occur over the course of just a few days. Bowel and bladder symptoms: Symptoms can range from pain with urination and/or bowel movements to incontinence of urine, feces, or both. This is the result of physical pressure caused by a large cervical tumor in the region of the kidneys, the bladder, or the colon. Rarely, pressure actually blocks the area, causing an obstruction that makes it difficult to urinate or to have a bowel movement. Complications There are four different stages of cervical cancer, and the most common symptoms of cervical cancer listed above would likely begin during stage II. Complications occur when cancer advances to later (higher) stages and affects many regions of the body. In stage III, the tumor spreads to the upper two-thirds of the vagina and to the regions around the uterus. These cancers may even spread to the lower third of the vagina and/or the pelvic wall, and may involve the kidneys. The tumor may block one or both ureters (the tubes that travel from the kidney to the bladder), causing the kidneys to become enlarged and possibly interfering with urine production. In stage IV cervical cancer, the tumor spreads beyond the region of the cervix to involve the wall of the bladder or rectum, or spreads to other regions of the body, such as the lungs, liver, or bones. Some of the symptoms of stage IV cervical cancer may be related to the changes in metabolism associated with metastatic cancer, such as unintentional weight loss (a loss of 5% of body weight over a six- to 12-month period), fatigue, and nausea. When cervical cancer metastasizes to other regions of the body, symptoms may be related to the area to which it spreads. For example, bone and back pain may occur when cervical cancer spreads to bones, and coughing may occur if it spreads to the lungs. When to See the Doctor If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with cervical cancer, such as vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or bowel and bladder symptoms, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. Do so out of due diligence, but also know that what you are experiencing could point to another concern. Because the cervix is the lowest part of the uterus and the bladder and lower portion of the colon are nearby, diseases and conditions in any of these organs can have overlapping symptoms. And those issues are, in fact, the more common explanations for what's happening. Of course, cervical cancer is still a possibility. It is treatable when caught in the early stages, and the survival rates for cervical cancer are better the earlier it is diagnosed. Listen to your body and seek an evaluation if anything seems abnormal or aligned with cervical cancer. Cervical Cancer Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. Before your appointment, keep careful track of your symptoms. Pay attention to details such as when and how often you experience the symptoms; what medications, if any, alleviate the symptoms; and how long you have had the symptoms. All of this information will help your doctor make the right diagnosis and get you started on the correct treatment course, if necessary, as soon as possible. A Word From Verywell Fortunately, with regular screening, and now with the HPV vaccine, the chance that a person will experience symptoms of cervical cancer is low. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 93% of cervical cancers could be prevented with regular screening. That said, having an awareness of symptoms is very important in order to detect those cancers that may be missed as early as possible. Causes and Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. 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J Gynecol Oncol. 2017;28(6):e79. doi:10.3802/jgo.2017.28.e79 Espenel S, Garcia MA, Langrand-escure J, et al. Special focus on stage IV cervical cancer patients: A decade experience. Oncology. 2019;97(3):125-134. doi: 10.1159/000500025 Bosch X, Monclús E, Escoda O, et al. Unintentional weight loss: Clinical characteristics and outcomes in a prospective cohort of 2677 patients. PLoS One. 2017;12(4):e0175125. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0175125 Ki EY, Lee KH, Park JS, Hur SY. A clinicopathological review of pulmonary metastasis from uterine cervical cancer. Cancer Res Treat. 2016;48(1):266–272. doi:10.4143/crt.2014.206 PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Cervical cancer treatment (PDQ®): Patient version. 2019 Mar 1. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cervical cancer is preventable. Updated 01/06/20. Additional Reading American Cancer Society. Key statistics for cervical cancer. Updated 01/04/18. American Society of Oncology. Cervical cancer: Symptoms and signs. Updated 07/2017. Fontham ETH, Wolf AMD, Church TR, et al. Cervical cancer screening for individuals at average risk: 2020 guideline update from the American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin. 2020. doi:10.3322/caac.21628 National Cancer Institute. Cervical cancer treatment (PDQ) – Health professional version. Updated 01/31/17.