Cervical Cancer

What are the symptoms?

The national screening programme, celebrity sufferers and the HPV vaccination schedule mean that cervical cancer awareness has increased. That’s good news because cervical cancer affects more than three thousand women in the UK annually and rates are projected to go up over the decades to come.

In the early stages, most women will be unaware that cancer cells are growing in their cervix. There are often no clear symptoms, which is why regular smear testing is so important. It can highlight the presence of dysplasia, or abnormal cells, while the cancer is still invisible to the naked eye.

If the disease develops, you may notice abnormal vaginal bleeding. Look out for:

Vaginal bleeding between periods
Bleeding after sexual intercourse
Unusual vaginal discharge
Later on, the cancerous growths can start blocking the kidneys and surrounding area, which can be felt as back pain

The Department of Health advises that most women with gynaecological cancer should be managed by a sub-specialist team. This is backed up by the best evidence in medical literature, which shows that women with gynaecological cancer do better if managed by a gynaecological oncology accredited surgeon, compared to a general gynaecologist or a general surgeon.

The best treatment for your cancer will depend on the size, severity and extent of the disease. This can involve a Cone biopsy, a Radical hysterectomy, a Trachelectomy and non-surgical treatments such as Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy.

Mr Thomas Ind is an experienced and accredited gynaecological oncology surgeon. He leads a sensitive and supportive team of professionals. Together they will educate you about your illness, operate on your cancer, help you through your surgery, and ensure you make a safe recovery.

Contact our team