If you've had a history of cancer in your family, then you may be more inclined than others to seek out information about the first signs of cervical cancer. After all, spotting evidence of cancer with the appearance of the very first symptoms can help to ensure that you have a better chance of having a successful treatment. Unfortunately, cervical cancer, like with many other forms of cancer, doesn't regularly show symptoms during the initial stages, meaning that spotting the first signs of cervical cancer may be difficult.
Diagnosis With A Pap Smear
For the majority of women, the first signs of cervical cancer they experience will begin when changes or symptoms of cancer are detected through a pap smear. The pap smear is a routine test that you can get, and it is used for searching for cancerous and precancerous changes within the cervical cells.
Most health experts recommend that young women receive pap smears on a regular basis, as this is a highly effective way for doctors to detect the signs of cervical cancer early, before they are allowed to become too serious. Pap smear guidelines have changed within the recent years, and most young women are recommended to get their first pap smear at the age of 21. Tests should be repeated every two years, and women who are over the age of thirty should only need testing every three years, provided that their previous smears had been consecutively negative.
In some instances, older women getting Pap smears may also be asked to take a human papillomavirus or HPV test. The reason for this is that cervical cancer is frequently linked to HPV, and if a woman does not have HPV she is much less likely to develop cervical cancer. HPV is very common in young women, and most infections are known to heal on their own within a period of two years, meaning that doctors don't often test for HPV in younger women unless their Pap smear is abnormal.
Symptoms And Signs Of Cervical Cancer
Typically, women who are in the earliest stages of cervical cancer will not experience any symptoms at all. The reason for this is that symptoms only begin to appear when cancer becomes invasive and starts to grow into nearby tissue. When this takes place, some of the most common signs include abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after sex, bleeding between periods, and having heavier or longer periods than normal. Other signs that women are encouraged to look out for include unusual discharge from the vagina that may contain some blood, and excessive pain during vaginal intercourse.
Importantly, it vital to remember that the above symptoms and signs can be caused by conditions that are not related to cervical cancer. For example, an infection can easily lead to bleeding or pain. However, if you are suffering from any of the problems mentioned above, even if you have been getting your Pap smears regularly, it's important to speak to a health professional immediately. Even if you're not dealing with cancer, the problem should be dealt with as early as possible.