Recognizing the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

With so many different forms out there, both rare and common, cancer can be a difficult subject to think about, but it is certainly not a subject that should be ignored. Cervical cancer is a particular type of cancer that has affected women for a long time. Luckily, more and more treatments have recently been developed to treat the disease. However, it is important for women to know the symptoms of cervical cancer in order to be able to treat it as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, this does not have many symptoms in its early stages. Most signs do not appear until the cancer is in its more advanced stages. Even then, many women can easily confuse these symptoms with PMS. The best method of early detection is to get a regular Pap smear.

Abnormal vaginal fluids can likely be a sign of cervical cancer. Bleeding after sex, douching, or a pelvic exam can be a sign that the cervix is irritated and unhealthy. Menstrual periods can suddenly become heavier and more prolonged. Uncommon discharge that is either foul smelling, watery, thick, or mucus like can sometimes appear as well.

Irregular pains are often associated with this disease. Pelvic pains, aside from the usual cramps, which can vary from mild to severe, can be a sign of cervical cancer. Extreme pain during regular activities, like urination and sexual intercourse, should also be a cause for concern.

Cervical cancer is a serious medical issue, but not one which is impossible to address. Though a Pap smear is the best way to detect it, anyone experiencing possible symptoms, should contact their gynecologist immediately to be tested. Being well informed about the signs of this particular cancer is helpful to ensure that the proper treatment will be received and the best outcome is possible.

Recognizing Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

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For many years, the common belief was that ovarian cancer was a disease that came without warning and had no symptoms. The main reason for this belief is that women and their doctors were not recognizing the symptoms. As a result, most women who developed this disease did not find out until it had progressed to the advanced stages.

This form of cancer develops in a woman's ovaries. This part of the body is very small, about the size of a pea. The ovaries are found on each side of a woman's uterus. The ovaries are involved in the production and release of eggs. The eggs make their way into the fallopian tubes. Progesterone and estrogen, two female hormones are produced in the ovaries. Women who have high levels of estrogen and progesterone are at an increased risk for ovarian cancer.

Not all tumors that form in the ovaries are cancerous. A woman who has benign tumors in her ovaries does not have to worry about them spreading. However, these tumors stimulate the production of estrogen and that's what causes cancer. Tumors that are malignant can spread to other parts of the body. A woman can have tumors in one or both ovaries.

Early detection is very important and dramatically increases a woman's chances for survival. The problem is that the early symptoms are hard to detect because they often resemble normal feminine conditions such as PMS.

One way to distinguish ovarian cancer from other conditions is to see how long the discomfort lasts. With cancer, the symptoms do not fade or go away. Instead, they worsen over time as the disease progresses. Other conditions will go away in a matter of days.

Women who experience problems with their digestive system should see a doctor. Disorders affecting the bladder and other conditions such as constipation, fatigue, and lower back pains could be symptoms. It's also important for women to know the risk factors for this disease. A woman's risk increases with age.

It most often occurs among women during their post menopausal years. Women who undergo hormone replacement therapy are also at an increased risk.

A woman's weight is also a factor. Women who are obese are 80 percent more likely to develop this disease. Certain medications such as danazol can also put a woman at risk. Danazol is a treatment for endometriosis.