Common Cervical Cancer Symptoms – Described by Real Patients
Cervical cancer symptoms can be difficult to realize. They don’t always present themselves and even when they do it’s hard to differentiate them from symptoms linked with other vaginal conditions.
In this article, we cover the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, along with what to do if you are experiencing these symptoms. Additionally, we take a look at the symptoms that real cervical cancer patients experience prior to being diagnosed.
How Patients Described Their First Signs of Cervical Cancer
While each cervical cancer patient has their own experience. Learning about other’s experiences and symptoms can help you identify early signs of cervical cancer and know what to expect if you are diagnosed.
Adenocarcinoma
The cancer begins in the column-shaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal.
It’s scary to say this, but I had no physical symptoms… They said that not only that they had found irregular cells, but that they had found cancerous cells during my regular pap.
– Kristine M. | Read more
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The Cancer begins in the column-shaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal.
It started off with a little bit of spotting or bleeding after sex. I remember it very clearly the first time it happened because it was Thanksgiving morning and I was with my husband.
– Brittany W. | Read more
I started noticing bleeding every single day. I had just gotten off birth control, so I contacted my primary care physician and told her what was going on. She said it was probably just hormones.
– Marissa N. | Read more
I started feeling this little lump. It turned out to be inside my cervix. I didn’t really know what it was, it wasn’t really painful or anything, it was just kind of there.
– Mila L. | Read more
Related Links and Resources
With an endless stream of information available on the internet, it’s hard to know what to trust. That’s why we’ve provided trustworthy resources to learn more about cervical cancer and its symptoms.
Cervical Cancer Symptoms
If you are looking to learn more about the symptoms associated with cervical cancer visit:
Learn More About Cervical Cancer
Learn more about what cancer feels like.
Discover how cancer patients feel in the moment when reacting to a cancer diagnosis.
Learn how nurses help support cancer patients through their cancer diagnosis and treatment.
What to Do If You Are Experiencing Symptoms Linked to Cervical Cancer
If you are experiencing symptoms commonly linked to cervical cancer, you should get a pelvic exam that includes a pap smear. Most cases of cervical cancer are detectable with a pelvic exam.
Since the symptoms of cervical cancer aren’t always detectable, it’s important to visit a gynecologist every year. Cancer screening is an important part of any woman’s wellness visit.
For more information about cervical cancer or symptoms of other types of cancers visit our navigating cancer page. While a cancer diagnosis is devastating, learning about situations common among cancer patients can help take the mystery out of your path forward.
More Cervical Cancer Patient Stories
Samantha R., cervical cancer, adenocarcinoma
Symptoms: Irregular bleeding, pain
Treatment:Surgery: radical hysterectomy, pelvic exenteration surgery; chemotherapy; immunotherapy; radiation therapy; hormone replacement therapy; hyperbaric oxygen therapy
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Mila L., Squamous Cell Cervical Cancer, Stage 1B1
Symptoms: Abnormal lump in cervix area, bleeding after sex
Treatment: Chemotherapy (cisplatin), radiation, adjuvant chemotherapy (carboplatin & paclitaxel
...
McKenzie E., Cervical Cancer, Stage 3C2
Symptoms: Severe abdominal & back cramping, persistent & extreme pain, heavy discharge & bleeding
Treatments: Radiation, chemotherapy (cisplatin), brachytherapy, immunotherapy (Keytruda)
...
Marissa N., Squamous Cell Cervical Cancer, Stage 3B
Symptoms: Excessive and prolonged vaginal bleeding
Treatment: Chemotherapy (cisplatin), radiation, brachytherapy
...
Leanne B., Cervical Cancer, Stage 4
Symptoms: Fatigue, irregular periods, pain after sex
Treatment: Radiotherapy, brachytherapy, chemotherapy (carboplatin & paclitaxel)/p>
...
Kristine M., Adenocarcinoma Cervical Cancer, Stage 2B
Symptoms: Tumor found during postpartum pap smear
Treatment: Colposcopy with endocervical curettage, cone biopsy, total abdominal radical open hysterectomy with lymph node removal
...
Kate R., Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Origin, Stage 3C
Symptoms: Intermittent spotting during or after sex, unpredictable menstrual cycle, abdominal pain particularly under the rib cage
Treatments: Chemotherapy (cisplatin & paclitaxel), immunotherapy (Keytruda), surgery (total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy & omentectomy)
...
Gwendolyn J., Cervical Cancer, Stage 4
Symptoms: Heavy menstrual cycles, severe back pain, stomach bloating
Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiation, tisotumab vedotin (clinical trial)
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Treatment: Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, brachytherapy, hormone therapy...