Symptoms of cervical cancer

Last medical review:

Cervical cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. Symptoms often appear once the tumour grows and causes changes in the body such as changes in bladder habits. Other health conditions can cause the same signs and symptoms as cervical cancer.

The signs and symptoms of cervical cancer include:

  • vaginal bleeding during or after sex, between periods and after menopause
  • pain during sex
  • pelvic pain
  • vaginal discharge that is heavier than usual or foul-smelling
  • unusually long or heavy periods
  • bleeding after a pelvic exam or vaginal douche (inserting a solution into the vagina and flushing it out)
  • difficulty peeing
  • difficulty having a bowel movement (passing stool or poop out of the body) or bleeding from the rectum when having a bowel movement
  • blood in pee
  • leg swelling
  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • shortness of breath
  • coughing up blood
  • chest or bone pain
  • fatigue

Expert review and references

  • S. Eshwar Kumar, MD

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