A pharmacist is urging women to pay attention to their menstrual cycle as it could help them spot the early signs of cervical cancer.
The disease is often called a ‘silent killer’ because its symptoms can be easily mistaken for less serious problems, such as heavy periods and exhaustion.
Roughly two women in Britain every day die from cervical cancer.
However, if the signs are recognised early, the chance of surviving for at least five years is roughly 95 per cent.
This drops to 15 per cent if the cancer is detected at later stages, when it has spread to other areas of the body.
Registered pharmacist Anna Maxwell said: ‘Understanding your own period and cycle is absolutely vital for your overall health and wellbeing.
‘Being in tune with this key aspect of your body can help you recognise when something isn’t feeling right.
‘For example, knowing whether vaginal discharge or bleeding between your periods is a normal part of your cycle or a potential sign of a health issue can alert you to when a GPs advice is needed.’
Heavier periods, bleeding after sex, between periods, or after menopause are all possible warning signs of cervical cancer
Heavier periods, bleeding after sex, between periods, or after menopause, and pain during sex, or in general, particularly in your lower back, pelvis, or lower abdomen are all symptoms of cervical cancer.
The warning comes as a survey of 228 people revealed that 56 per cent lack the confidence to name each phase of the menstrual cycle and 29 per cent are not confident at all.
The survey by Evana, an over-the-counter medicine brand providing relief for heavy periods, also found 41 per cent of the people surveyed admitted to often or always feeling confused about their menstrual cycle and hormones.
Cervical cancer is the 14th most common cancer in females in the UK, affecting around 3,300 people per year.
Fortunately, in the UK, women have access to comprehensive cervical cancer screenings, but globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, and low- and middle-income countries have the highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality.
In about 99 per cent of cases, cervical cancer is caused by an infection of a high-risk type of human papillomavirus (HPV).
There are more than 100 types of HPV, and only around 30 can affect the genital area.
Many people never show symptoms, as they can arise years after infection, and the majority of cases go away without treatment.
Cervical cancer symptoms to look out for include unusual vaginal bleeding, pain during sex and lower back or pelvic pain.
All women and people with a cervix in the UK aged between 25 and 64 are also invited for regular cervical screenings, which serve as the primary way of diagnosing
However, in some cases, it can cause the genital tissues to grow abnormally, resulting over many years in cervical cancer. ‘In some cases HPV can lead to genital warts or cancer,’ Ms Maxwell said.
‘HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, which means it is spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, but also from sharing sex toys and any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area,’ she added.
She warns that any new, undiagnosed, or unusual bleeding during sex, between periods or after menopause should be checked out by a doctor.
Other red flags include changes in vaginal discharge, pain during sex, or discomfort in your lower back, abdomen, or pelvis.
‘These symptoms could indicate a range of conditions, not just cervical cancer — such as fibroids or endometriosis. If you notice any new symptoms or anything that concerns you, it’s vital to seek a doctor’s advice,’ Ms Maxwell said.
An increased amount of sexual partners, especially if you are not using condoms can and early sexual experience can increase the risk of a HPV infection, she explained.
In addition to HPV, and completely independent of the viral infection, about 2 per cent of deaths from cervical cancer are actually due to smoking.
However, preventable measures such as the HPV vaccine and routine cervical smear tests are vital for saving lives.
The vaccine is more than 80 per cent effective and available in much of the developed world.
It is a two-dose vaccine, now available for children between ages 11 and 12. The shots come 12 months apart.
For people who missed that window, a three-dose shot is available to young people aged 15 to 26.
The vaccine has been offered to girls in England and Wales since September 2008 before being widened to include boys since 2019.
All women in the UK aged between 25 and 64 are also invited for regular cervical screenings, which serve as the primary way of diagnosing.
Ms Maxwell said: ‘During the test, a healthcare professional will collect a small sample of cells from the cervix for testing.
‘They will check for cancer cells or any abnormal cells that could develop into cancer in the future. If anything, unusual is found, this allows for early diagnosis and the opportunity to receive treatment at an earlier stage.’
