What are the early symptoms of uterine cancer and how to treat it

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, especially those who have been pregnant and given birth. However, it is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms do not appear in the early stages. So what are the early symptoms of cervical cancer? How to treat early cervical cancer?

Causes of uterine cancer

Abnormal cells: Cervical cancer usually develops due to abnormal cell growth and may spread to other parts of the body. Usually there are no symptoms in the early stages and it can only be detected through a smear test.

Papillomavirus infection: More than 90% of cervical cancer patients have been infected with HPV, but most of the infected people will not develop cancer. Receiving HPV vaccine can effectively prevent infection and prevent 65-75% of cervical cancer, but it still needs to be combined with smear examination.

Other risk factors: Although HPV infection has the greatest impact, there are other risk factors, such as bruising, use of birth control pills, early sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, impaired immunity, etc.

Early symptoms of uterine cancer

Irregular menstrual cycles: One of the common symptoms of cervical cancer is bleeding between periods and irregular menstrual periods. In addition, if you experience heavy bleeding or your menstrual period lasts longer than the normal cycle, it is best to consult a doctor.

Bleeding after sex: If you have frequent pain during sex, or bleeding afterward, you should get tested. Bleeding during sex is uncommon unless it's your first time.

Increased vaginal discharge: Although vaginal discharge is common, if you have persistent or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or abnormal vaginal bleeding, it could be a sign of cervical cancer.

Bleeding after menopause: If you are already in menopause but still have vaginal bleeding, you'd better consult a doctor immediately to rule out cervical cancer. Since the symptoms may occur in the late stage, it is best to start checking after the age of 30.

Swelling in the legs: Although leg swelling can be attributed to many health problems, swelling in one leg is a common symptom of early cervical cancer. Therefore, any unusual or frequent swelling in one leg should be a cause for concern.

Frequent back pain: Frequent back pain and pelvic pain may be an early sign of cervical cancer. If you lead a healthy, active lifestyle but have back pain, you should see a doctor immediately.

Symptoms of blood in the stool: It may be hemorrhoids or stomach cancer, but you'd better get tested. Bleeding in the stool is not a common symptom of cervical cancer, but it means that the disease is no longer in the early stage.

Frequent fatigue and dizziness: Frequent feeling of tiredness or dizziness may be a sign of cervical cancer and blood loss during menstruation. So if you have been feeling dizzy or tired most of the time, you should get tested for cervical cancer.

Weight loss: You may be losing weight because of a weak immune system or a loss of appetite. Although losing weight is good, it should not be at the expense of your health. So if you are losing weight, it is best to get tested.

Frequent chronic abdominal pain: Do not ignore frequent or chronic abdominal pain, because it may be one of the late symptoms of cervical cancer. But it is difficult to judge whether it is due to cancer, so it is necessary to do a smear test every 3 years.

How is uterine cancer treated?

The main treatment is hysterectomy. If the cancer has not spread to other parts of the uterus, hysterectomy may cure endometrial cancer. Usually, the fallopian tubes, ovaries and nearby lymph nodes are removed at the same time during surgery. The removed tissue is sent for pathological examination to determine the extent of cancer metastasis and whether radiation therapy is needed after surgery.

Even if no metastasis is found, drug therapy should be performed after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Uterine cancer is usually treated with hormone therapy to prevent the proliferation of cancer cells. Progesterone and progesterone-like drugs are generally effective.

If the cancer has spread to other parts of the uterus, high-dose progestin therapy is required. For patients whose endometrial cancer has spread, 40% of them have a reduction in tumor size after using progestin therapy for uterine cancer treatment, and further metastasis is controlled within 2 to 3 years. If the effect is good, it can be continued for a long time. The side effects of progestin include weight gain due to water retention and occasional depression.

If the cancer has metastasized or the progestin treatment is ineffective, other chemotherapy drugs can be used, such as cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, cisplatin, etc. These drugs are more toxic than progestin and have more side effects. Before choosing a treatment for uterine cancer, the risks and efficacy of chemotherapy should be carefully weighed.

In general, almost two-thirds of endometrial cancer patients are still alive five years after diagnosis, and less than one-third die from the cancer. Nearly 10% of patients still have cancer but are still alive. If found early, nearly 90% of patients survive at least five years, and most are cured. Young patients with endometrial cancer, patients whose cancer has not metastasized outside the uterus, and patients whose cancer is a slow-growing type have better outcomes.

How to prevent uterine cancer

Milk: Milk contains calcium and vitamin D, which can combine with carcinogens in the intestines and eliminate their harmful effects. Yogurt can inhibit the growth of tumor cells.

Vegetables: Fresh vegetables contain interferon inducers, which can stimulate cells to produce interferon. This substance can enhance the patient's resistance to disease and cancer. Vegetables are easily damaged by heating, so it is better to eat them raw, such as radish, turnip, gourd, eggplant, and cabbage.

Tea: It contains catechins, which can remove radioactive substances from the body. Regular tea drinking is beneficial for radiotherapy patients to recover. Tea can also prevent tooth decay.

Seafood: Algae contains sodium alginate. Sodium alginate can combine with radioactive strontium and then be excreted from the body. Eating kelp, seaweed and other foods regularly is good for the body. Shark cartilage can inhibit tumor growth, and shark fins have the ability to inhibit tumor infiltration to the surrounding areas. Fish are rich in inorganic salts such as selenium, zinc, calcium, and iodine, which are also beneficial in fighting cancer.

Fungi: Fungal foods contain polysaccharides and interferon inducers, which can inhibit tumors. Mushrooms have certain therapeutic effects on gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer.