I’m a nurse – this is the little known sign of cervical cancer that almost no one knows about
- Nurse shared a warning sign for cervical cancer that all women should know
- The main cause of cervical cancer is a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Cervical cancer cannot be detected with a smear test
- Read more: These are the five ways to prevent cancer
Nurse Jane Clarke (above) advised taking note of ‘frequent and sudden urges to urinate which may be difficult to control’ as this may be a symptom
A nurse has shared the lesser-known warning sign of cervical cancer that few women are aware of.
Jane Clarke, who has more than twenty years of experience, revealed that there is a link between cervical cancer and urinary frequency.
She advised women to be aware of ‘frequent and sudden urges to urinate that may be difficult to control’ as this could be a symptom.
“For example, you may need to urinate frequently during the day and at night, and you may also experience unintentional urine leakage,” she says.
Cervical cancer develops on a woman’s cervix and may not cause any symptoms or the symptoms may not be obvious.
The main cause is a virus called high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is very common and usually goes away on its own without causing any problems.
But it sometimes causes changes in the cells of the cervix, which can develop into cervical cancer. On average, this happens slowly, usually between five and twenty years.
Cervical cancer cannot be detected with a Pap smear, only through a cervical screening test.
Cervical cancer develops on a woman’s cervix and may not cause any symptoms or the symptoms may not be obvious. The leading cause of cervical cancer is a virus called the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) (stock image)
Women undergoing medical treatment may also notice bladder changes.
Jane said radiotherapy can damage the tissue and blood vessels in the lining of the bladder, causing pain or a burning sensation when you urinate, known as radiation cystitis.
“It can also make you feel like you need to urinate often, or you may experience an increased urge to urinate,” she added.
‘The small blood vessels in the bladder wall can also become weaker and bleed easily, so you may notice a slight pink tinge to the color of your urine. Changes in bladder function can also occur after radical hysterectomy.’
After medical treatment, there are a number of strategies that can improve urinary incontinence, such as following a high-fiber diet, maintaining hydration and avoiding alcohol.
Jane also recommends doing regular pelvic floor exercises, which involves developing a daily regimen to strengthen the muscle group that helps control and support your bladder, vagina and bowels (the pelvic floor).
‘Your specialist should provide instructions on how to perform these exercises, or you can contact a specialist healthcare provider such as a women’s health physio or continence nurse,’ she said.
‘To help manage embarrassing leaks during your recovery journey, there are several washable and disposable continence aids that are highly absorbent and discreet.
‘Keep in mind, however, that if you start to have trouble urinating or suspect you have a urinary tract infection, you should seek medical attention immediately.’
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