Advanced Stage Cervical Cancer Is on the Rise. Here Are the Signs and Symptoms to Know
A new study published in the
International Journal of Gynecological Cancer found that while the overall rate of cervical cancer in this country has been declining, advanced-stage cases of the disease are rising among white and Black women.
Overall, there was a 1.3% annual increase in the number of advanced stage cervical cancer cases between 2001 to 2018, according to the study. The most significant uptick was among white women in the south aged 40 to 44 years old. For this specific demographic, the annual increase in the number of advanced cervical cancer cases was 4.5%.
Among Black women, for whom the overall prevalence of cervical cancer remains higher, cases increased 0.67% annually during the 18-year study period.
"While rates of early-stage cervical cancer have fallen, distant stage cancer is on the rise in white and Black women," researchers said. "Even with screening and vaccination, there is not one racial or ethnic group, region in the USA, or age group where distant stage cervical cancer has been decreasing over the last 18 years."
Here's a closer look at the study findings and the signs and symptoms of late stage cervical cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Advanced Stage Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer may not be symptomatic in its earliest stages. According to the American Cancer Society, symptoms often do not emerge until the cancer becomes larger and grows into nearby tissue.
This is one of the primary reasons why routine screenings are critical, as pap smears and HPV testing can detect abnormal cells and diagnose cervical cancer in earlier stages or even when it is still in the precancerous phase of development and the lesions are curable, explained Dr. Saenz.
There are a number of signs and symptoms of late stage cervical cancer to be aware of, according to the American Cancer Society. They include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Vaginal discharge
- Pain during sex
- Pain in the pelvic region
"A big common symptom is bleeding after intercourse," Stacey Akers, MD, division director of gynecologic oncology in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, told Health . "But others include weight loss, fatigue, anemia, swelling in the legs and difficulty—or not being able—to void."
By the time an individual experiences difficulty voiding, or urinating, it is generally because a tumor has grown in the cervix and is blocking the connection between the bladder and the kidney.