3 Visible Signs of Cervical Cancer: Hypermenorrhea, Pelvic Pain, and Foul-Smelling Discharge

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally. In 2022, approximately 660,000 new cases were confirmed, resulting in about 350,000 deaths. It is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes changes in the cells lining the cervix.

Early detection of cervical cancer is crucial. The visible signs of cervical cancer range from hypermenorrhea and menorrhagia to a foul-smelling discharge. Women may also complain of pelvic pain. If caught in these early stages, the condition is curable. This makes detection especially important for saving lives.

Below, we’re covering the main symptoms of cervical cancer, including hypermenorrhea, pelvic pain, and a foul-smelling discharge.

Hypermenorrhea (Heavy Menstrual Bleeding) as a Visible Sign

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Hypermenorrhea refers to excess menstrual bleeding. Some bleeding is normal as part of the menstrual cycle and varies from woman to woman. Hypermenorrhea involves vaginal bleeding that is greater than usual.

Cervical cancer-related changes in the cervical lining increase the risk of bleeding. But it’s not only associated with menstruation. One of the most common signs is bleeding and pain after sexual intercourse. Some women may even notice bleeding after menopause – although cervical cancer is less common in this age group.

Prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) becomes more severe as the cancer progresses. In the later stages, as cancer continues to grow, the periods can become even heavier. Women may notice bleeding between periods. Any change in a woman’s normal menstrual cycle should be evaluated by a doctor.

Pelvic Pain and Discomfort

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Pelvic pain is another common symptom. The pain occurs during intercourse or in the lower stomach and back. The pain occurs as the tumor grows and presses on the surrounding tissue. The more the tumor grows, the greater the pain can be.

Certain types of pelvic pain may indicate that the tumor is invading other parts of your pelvis. As it exerts pressure on the pelvic tissues, it irritates and damages the nerves, causing pain. Nearby structures include the uterus and colon. Advanced cervical cancer can grow large enough to block the flow of urine or feces, further increasing pain and discomfort.

It can also indicate that the tumor is beginning to metastasize. Usually, such pain is felt in more distant sites, e.g., the lungs. However, if the cancer metastasizes to the pelvic bone, the discomfort can confuse the situation.

In contrast to common pelvic pain, cancer-related pain is continuous and unrelated to menstruation. The pain begins gradually, increasing in intensity over time as the cancer progresses. Often described as a dull ache, it is accompanied by vaginal bleeding.

Foul-Smelling Discharge

Foul-smelling discharge is a characteristic sign of cervical cancer. It can occur due to several reasons, including tumor decay, infection, and fluid production. Tumor decay happens when the cancer growth outstrips its blood supply, leading to tissue necrosis.

The discharge is usually high in volume, appears brown, reddish, or pinkish, and has either a necrotic or infectious smell. If an infection is present, the discharge might appear gray, green, or very dark.

The discharge is often unrelated to the menstrual cycle and continues throughout the month. Usually, any vaginal discharge increases around ovulation. This will not be the case with cervical cancer.

If you notice any visible signs of cervical cancer, e.g., foul-smelling discharge, it’s crucial you seek immediate medical attention. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the better the outcomes.

Other Visible Symptoms

In addition to these visible signs of cervical cancer, patients may notice:

• Pain and Bleeding During Intercourse. If the penis hits the cervix during intercourse, it can cause significant pain and bleeding. In the early stages, the bleeding may appear light. However, it is a significant sign that it requires further medical investigation.
• Pain in the lower back or stomach. As the cancer progresses, the pain may migrate into the lower back or stomach. This depends on how the cancer grows and which structures it’s pressing against.
• Weight loss. Cancer growth consumes significant energy, which can lead to weight loss despite no changes in diet.
• Loss of Appetite. Patients may not feel like eating.
• Fatigue and Tiredness. It’s common for patients to feel tired, either due to anemia or due to continuous growth.

The Importance of Early Detection

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Like all forms of cancer, if left untreated, cervical cancer will continue to grow, metastasizing throughout the body. The earlier the cancer is detected, the lower the chance it has to spread. If localized to the cervix, it can be surgically removed. This is a potential cure.

However, if cancer has spread to bone or other organs, surgery is no longer an option. Patients must instead rely on chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which has lower 5-year survival rates.

Treatment leads to the following five-year survival rates:

• Stage I cancer: 80–90%
• Stage II cancer: 60–75%
• Stage III cancer: 58%
• Stage IV cancer: 17% or less

NOUL’s miLab™ CER Solution: Enhancing Early Detection

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NOUL is advancing cervical cancer detection technologies. Our miLab™ CER is a pioneering solution that is capable of identifying cervical cancer cells from a cervical smear. It eliminates the need for staining, washing, and drying of smeared cervical cell slides.

Harnessing the power of AI, the device enhances diagnostic precision and efficiency, delivering a diagnosis within just a few minutes. This represents a significant advancement in cancer diagnostics. This allows for same-day testing of the sample, reducing the worrying waiting times for patients.

It’s perfect for resource-limited settings where lab-based testing isn’t possible. Considering the relatively low cost of the device, it presents a major opportunity to supply cervical cancer testing to remote regions around the world.

Conclusion

Cervical cancer is all about early diagnosis. Noticing the visible signs of cervical cancer often means that the condition is starting to progress. These signs include hypermenorrhea, menorrhagia, pelvic pain, and foul-smelling discharge. However, cervical cancer is often asymptomatic in the earliest stages.

NOUL’s miLab™ CER offers a chance to perform routine screening on women, diagnosing the condition before it has a chance to progress. Integrate this system into your clinic’s testing and screening procedures to enhance accurate rates and diagnosis times. Contact NOUL to learn more about the possibilities.