Catch it early save your life.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer? 

Most women with early cervical cancer do not experience any warning signs such as pain or abnormal vaginal discharges.  As cervical cancer grows, a woman might have abnormal vaginal bleeding such as heavy periods, bleeding in between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse or bleeding after menopause, or she may experience pain during intercourse. Sometimes by the time a woman notices this bleeding, the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body.  This is why your health care provider's screening exams to detect cervical cancer early are so important. 

Doctors perform a screening test that can find abnormal cells in the cervix before cancer develops.  This test can also diagnose cervical cancer early, when it can be cured.  This test is called the Papanicolaou test, also known as the Pap smear. 

During the Pap smear test, you will put on a hospital gown and use a sheet to cover yourself during the exam.  You will lie down on an examination table and place your feet in stirrups.  The doctor will put a speculum into your vagina and look at your cervix.  The doctor will then use a narrow brush and a plastic spatula to take a sample of cells from the surface of the cervix and also from inside the opening of the cervix.  These cells are then put on a microscope slide.  A specialist looks at these cells to see if there are any cancer cells or any abnormal cells that are in danger of becoming cancer cells.  A Pap smear causes little discomfort.  You should schedule to have your Pap smear when you will not be having your menstrual period.