Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that is quite feared because it is the most common type of cancer experienced by women. According to WHO (World Health Organization), cervical cancer is experienced by more than one million women in the world.
Cervical cancer occurs when there are cells in the cervix (cervical) that are not normal and continue to grow uncontrollably. The cervix is an organ shaped like a cylindrical tube that connects the vagina to a woman's uterus. These abnormal cells will cause tumors in the cervix, then malignant tumors will later become the cause of cervical cancer.
These abnormal cells are usually caused by infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which attacks the cervix. A woman who is attacked by the HPV virus does not directly suffer from cervical cancer. Because every human's immune system tries to fight this virus. But the virus can survive for years in a woman's body, grow, and cause cells on the cervical wall to turn into cancer cells.
The following are common symptoms in patients with cervical cancer:
- Pelvic pain: Do not underestimate pain in your pelvic area. If when you have sex with a partner, and feel unusual pelvic pain, then it could be a symptom of early-stage cervical cancer.
- Bleeding from the vagina: when you are not menstruating, but you suddenly bleed or have blood streaks from the vagina.
- Difficulty having a bowel movement: pay attention to when you last had a bowel movement, and if in the past few days you have had difficulty having a bowel movement, then this could be one of the early symptoms of cervical cancer. Because a cancerous lump can press on the intestine and make it difficult to have a bowel movement.
- Abnormal vaginal discharge: When vaginal discharge is not as usual, such as having a pungent smell, for example. This indicates a health problem.
- Excessive fatigue: excessive fatigue because cancer cells begin to grow little by little taking energy and food reserves, causing the body to tire quickly.
These symptoms are early symptoms of cervical cancer and you should immediately consult a trusted hospital. To prevent cervical cancer symptoms from appearing, you can do regular Pap smears and the HPV vaccination. If cervical cancer is found early, then the chances of healing will be even higher.
*summarized from various sources*