Cervical cancer early symptoms will be experienced by an estimated 13,000 women in the USA each year. Early symptoms of cervical cancer and cervical cancer are the second most common type of cancer in women worldwide.

Cervical cancer causes are commonly related to a sexually transmitted virus called the human papilloma virus or ‘HPV’. Most HPV infections will not lead to cervical cancer early symptoms and cancer. However, infection with these viral types can lead to abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. Certain changes called ‘high-grade lesions’ may progress to early symptoms of cervical cancer and cervical cancer if not treated.

Common cervical cancer early symptoms include these symptoms:

• Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse

• Pelvic pain

• Pain during sexual intercourse

• Unusual vaginal discharge

• Abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods

• Heavy bleeding during your menstrual period

• Increased urinary frequency

When cervical cancer early symptoms are suspected, Pap smears are the best screening technique currently available to evaluate the cells on the face of the cervix. The Pap smear is a test for the early symptoms of cervical cancer such as cancerous or pre-cancerous cells of the cervix. Most Pap smear test results are rated from Class I through Class V.

• Class I is normal,

• Class II means an irritation or inflammation,

• Class III means it is a true cervical dysplasia that can range from mild to serious,

• Class IV may be one of a variety of pre-cancers or cancers,

• Class V is one of the serious invasive cervical cancer signs.

Pap smear tests are necessary, but they are not always accurate. And their results sometimes appear normal even when a woman has the abnormal cells of cancer. If cervical cancer early symptoms are suspected and the Pap smear test comes back either as normal or as positive, consider getting another Pap smear from a different laboratory and a second opinion from another doctor. If your Pap smear shows dysplasia, a biopsy can rule out cervical cancer.

Another testing method being developed uses a small fiber optic probe that may replace pap smears. This method is still being tested. Hopefully, it should give women more accurate screenings, eliminate unnecessary biopsies and help diagnose cervical cancer early symptoms and early cancer stages. Ask your doctor if this or a more accurate test for cervical cancer is now available.

Early symptoms of cervical cancer often go on without the woman suspecting that a problem exists! Cervical cancer is usually a slow-growing cancer. As a result, cervical cancer is often diagnosed and treated in an advanced stage when the success rate is much lower. Most women with invasive cervical cancer will be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation or some combination of these. And a hysterectomy may be recommended as a consequence of cervical cancer that has spread within the cervix.

With the ovaries being an important source of hormone production, a hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries is a major event with health consequences for a woman. Even if the ovaries are not removed, their function will become impaired within 1-2 years after a partial hysterectomy, again with related health consequences.

Understand what the cervical cancer early symptoms are so that proper medical help can be obtained when needed. And learn more about the early menopause symptoms and side effects of hysterectomy, two important related womens health concerns.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing