The most common symptoms of cervical cancer have been revealed, including a "silent" sign for people to look out for.
Hundreds of women die from the disease every year and many of them have the "silent" symptom of lower back pain. Back problems can be a sign of various illnesses and diseases, but it is common in people who have cervical cancer.
The condition can be cured if detected and treated early. In fact, 51% of those with cervical cancer survived for more than 10 years between 2013 and 2017, Cancer Research UK says.
Read More: Seven early warning signs of cancer you should never ignore, according to experts
More than nine in 10 women had their cervical cancer cured after it was spotted at stage 1 - the earliest stage - data shows, reports The Mirror.
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
Approximately 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in the UK. Lower back pain is a common symptom, as this may be where the tumour is growing. But eight other common symptoms include:
- Heavier periods
- Changes in your vaginal discharge
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Bleeding in between your periods
- Bleeding during/after sex
- Bleeding after menopause
- Pain during sex
- Pain in your pelvis
Lower back pain isn't always an indicator of any cancer though. Medics say you should visit your GP if you have any of those symptoms, including back trouble, regardless of your age.
But cervical cancer is the most common form of the disease in women aged 35 and under. The condition is typically caused by persistent infections with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is contracted through sex. Most young women in the UK are now immunised against it, although boys aren't.
