Pre-cancerous conditions of the cervix and early cervical cancers do not typically produce any noticeable symptoms. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of most cervical cancers is silent too — most people never know they’ve been infected.
If cervical cancer grows unchecked and begins to invade nearby tissues, you might experience symptoms. Be sure to alert your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding. This includes bleeding or spotting between periods or an unusual discharge with or without blood.
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding after sex
- Pelvic pain
- Difficulty with urination
- Difficulty with bowel movements
- Swelling in the legs
While these symptoms don’t always mean cancer and it’s more likely that a non-cancerous condition or infection may be causing them, prompt diagnosis and treatment is important.
Learn which screening tests you need from the experts who know cancer best.
Complete our cancer screening and prevention questionnaire to manage your cancer risk and screening needs.