Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Nicola Roy & Jessica Knibbs

Unusual cervical cancer symptoms to look out for - itching, back pain and bloating

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of the illness worldwide.

It's estimated there were around 604,000 diagnoses around the world in 2020, and according to Cancer.net, it is most often diagnosed in those aged between 35 and 44.

Cervical cancer can be found anywhere in the cervix, which is the opening between the vagina and the womb (uterus).

The Mirror reports the rate of new cases of cervical cancer was 7.8 per 100,000 women a year, while the death rate was 2.2 per 100,000 women.

Spotting the signs early can be vital, as it means people can get treatment before the cancer gets worse.

What causes cervical cancer?

HPV is one of the main causes of cervical cancer (Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV is a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are many different types of HPV.

Some HPV types can cause changes on a woman's cervix that can lead to cancer over time, while other types can cause genital or skin warts.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Some of the most common cervical cancer symptoms include:

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • An unusual discharge from the vagina
  • Pain during sex
  • Pain in the pelvic region

But according to the Moffat Centre, there are five other lesser-known symptoms that could be early warning signs of the illness. These are:

  • Itching or burning sensations in the vagina
  • Low back or abdominal pain
  • Unexplained fatigue
  • Frequent or urgent urination
  • Abdominal bloating

How to reduce the risks of cervical cancer

There is a vaccine offered to schoolgirls to help reduce the risk of HPV infection (Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF)

There are a couple of steps that you can take that lower your risk of developing cervical cancer.

Vaccines to prevent HPV infection are offered to all school girls in the UK aged 12-13, which protect against the types of HPV that are most likely to cause cervical cancer.

You can also practise safer sex by using condoms will help to reduce a woman’s risk of getting HPV and passing it on.

If you think you may be at risk of cervical cancer, you should speak to your GP or sexual health clinic for further testing.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.