Can you have cervical cancer for years and not know?

Cancer of the cervix often has no symptoms in its early stages. If you do have symptoms, the most common is unusual vaginal bleeding, which can occur after sex, in between periods or after the menopause.

How long can you go without knowing you have cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer develops very slowly. It can take years or even decades for the abnormal changes in the cervix to become invasive cancer cells. Cervical cancer might develop faster in people with weaker immune systems, but it will still likely take at least 5 years.

Can you have cervical cancer for years?

Survival for all stages of cervical cancer

more than 60 out of every 100 (more than 60%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis. more than 50 women out of every 100 (more than 50%) will survive their cancer for 10 years or more after diagnosis.

Can you have cervical cancer for 10 years and not know?

Early cervical cancer doesn't normally cause symptoms, so you probably won't realize you have it. That's why it's so important to get regular screening tests. As cervical cancer progresses, signs and symptoms may include: unusual vaginal discharge.

What are the late signs of cervical cancer?

Signs and symptoms of more-advanced cervical cancer include: Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause. Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor.

Cervical cancer survivor stories: Chris Chong Suet Yee

What are the 7 warning signs of cervical cancer?

What can be mistaken for cervical cancer?

Vaginal amebiasis may mimic symptoms and imaging findings of cervical cancer (1,2). Physicians must be aware of this rare disease, and a tissue biopsy is essential to make an accurate diagnosis.

Can cervical cancer be missed on a Pap?

They cannot tell for certain if you have cervical cancer. An abnormal Pap test or HPV test result may mean more testing is needed to see if a cancer or a pre-cancer is present. Cervical cancer may also be suspected if you have symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding or pain during sex.

What were your first signs of cervical cancer?

Can cervical cancer be seen on ultrasound?

Ultrasound and MRI are highly accurate for the preoperative evaluation of women with early-stage cervical cancer ²⁰.

Does cervical cancer hurt all the time?

Low back pain or pelvic pain can be linked to problems with reproductive organs, such as the cervix. A sign of cervical cancer is pelvic pain, especially continuous pain. Pelvic pain near the appendix doesn't usually occur unless the cancer is in advanced stages.

What is the average age to get cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44 with the average age at diagnosis being 50 . It rarely develops in women younger than 20. Many older women do not realize that the risk of developing cervical cancer is still present as they age.

Does cervical cancer grow fast or slow?

Cervical cancer usually develops slowly. It starts as a precancerous condition called dysplasia. This condition can be detected by a Pap smear and is nearly 100% treatable. It can take years for dysplasia to develop into cervical cancer.

What are the 5 warning signs of cervical cancer?

Do you feel poorly with cervical cancer?

Advanced cervical cancer may mean you feel sick or cause other effects that can make you lose your appetite. You may lose weight anyway because of the cancer and not feel like eating as much. Making some simple changes to your diet may help with feeling sick and getting your appetite back.

Can a doctor see cervical cancer on examination?

Sometimes cervical cancer is found during a pelvic exam. Your provider can't see precancer changes like dysplasia. But they may see invasive cancer during the exam. If something suspicious is seen during the pelvic exam, more tests will be needed.

What kind of pain is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer symptoms include vaginal bleeding that is unusual for you, changes to vaginal discharge, discomfort during sex and pain in your lower back or pelvis. If you have symptoms, you should contact your GP.

What is the most significant symptoms for cervical cancer should it occur?

If early cell changes develop into cervical cancer, the most common signs include: vaginal bleeding between periods. menstrual bleeding that is longer or heavier than usual. pain during intercourse.

Can you have normal Pap and still have cervical cancer?

While these studies suggest that a large proportion (49%–72%) of patients with cervical cancer had either not been screened or had been improperly screened, as many as 30%–50% of women with cervical cancer had had a normal Pap result in the 3–5 years before their cervical cancer diagnosis.

Can a Pap be normal and still have cancer?

Introduction: While Papanicolaou (Pap) smears have resulted in a significant decline in cervical cancer incidence and mortality, our clinical experience indicates some women still present with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) despite having received Pap smear screening.

How long does it take for an abnormal Pap to turn to cancer?

HPV-related cancers often take years to develop after getting an HPV infection. Cervical cancer usually develops over 10 or more years. There can be a long interval between being infected with HPV, the development of abnormal cells on the cervix and the development of cervical cancer.

Where does your back hurt with cervical cancer?

Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer

These symptoms include: pain in your lower back or pelvis. severe pain in your side or back. constipation.

What are the signs that cervical cancer has spread?

How long does it take HPV to turn into cervical cancer?

Research has found that it can take 10 to 20 years, or even longer, for HPV-infected cervical cells to develop into a cancerous tumor. Among women whose cervical cells are infected with high-risk HPV, several factors increase the chance that the infection will be long lasting and lead to precancerous cervical cells.

What is the first stage of cervical cancer?

Stage I cervical cancer

Stage IA1 and IA2 cervical cancer. A very small amount of cancer that can only be seen under a microscope is found in the tissues of the cervix. In stage IA1, the cancer is not more than 3 millimeters deep. In stage IA2, the cancer is more than 3 but not more than 5 millimeters deep.