Unusual Smell? It Could Be Cancer, Doctors Warn

Health experts are alerting the public to a potential early sign of cervical cancer: an unusual or persistent smell. Doctors emphasize that embarrassment should never prevent individuals from seeking medical attention. Symptoms, which may be noticed during personal care, can include watery, bloody vaginal discharge with a foul odor, as noted by the Mayo Clinic.

Cervical cancer often develops without symptoms in its early stages. As it progresses, other signs may appear, such as pain in the lower back, pelvis, or lower abdomen. While conditions like fibroids or endometriosis can cause similar symptoms, any change or worsening of these should prompt a GP visit.

Cervical cancer typically affects individuals aged 30-35 and is commonly linked to HPV infection. Prevention strategies include HPV vaccination, safe sex practices, and avoiding smoking. Treatment options range from surgery to remove cancerous tissue to drug therapies like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

While anyone with a cervix can develop cervical cancer, those who have undergone a total hysterectomy are not at risk. Risk factors include specific types of HPV infection. The two main types are Squamous Cell Carcinoma, which forms on the outer cervix, and Adenocarcinoma, originating in glandular cells.