Symptoms & Causes

Symptoms

• Almost all early stage cervical cancer and HPV infection take place without causing any symptoms so that patients can still do their daily activities without knowing that they are infected (7)
• However, if the examination is being done in early phase, abnormal cervical cells -called as precancerous lesions- can be found (7)
• If the cancer is already progressing into advanced stages then symptoms that can arise include (7)
  1. Post sexual bleeding.
  2. Spontaneous bleeding that occurs between regular normal period.
  3. Leukorrhea which is smelled and mixed with blood.
  4. Pelvic pain and impaired urination.
  5. Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Do not postpone to contact your doctor if you have any of those symptoms.

Causes

• The main cause is a virus called Human Papilloma (HPV) that can cause cancer.(11)
• HPV 16 and 18 collectively represent 70% of the causes of cervical cancer. (12)
• Usually, most infections will heal on its own but sometimes it can be a persistent infection that can develop into a cervical cancer. (13)
• What you need to know about HPV virus:
  1. HPV can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. (14)
  2. Transmission can also occur even if not through sexual intercourse.(14)
  3. HPV can survive in hot temperatures.

Risk Factors

• Marriage / sexual relationships at a young age.
• Frequent childbirth.
• Smoking.
• Multiple sexual partners.
• Sexually transmitted infections.