Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Indonesia. Around 40,000 new cervical cancer cases are recorded each year in Indonesia.

The main driver of this high number is low awareness of the disease’s risks. In addition, early-stage disease often has no symptoms.

Although early stages of cervical cancer can be asymptomatic, early detection is still possible. Common methods of early detection include VIA and Pap smear tests. If you have limited access to these two tests, pay close attention to signs and symptoms that appear during menstruation.

Some menstrual-related symptoms you should watch for include:

Irregular Menstrual Cycle

The average menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days. However, cycles that are somewhat shorter or longer than 28 days can still be considered normal.

Cycle lengths that warrant attention are those shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, especially if the irregularities persist for three or more consecutive cycles.

An irregular cycle can be a sign of cervical cancer, but it does not always indicate cervical cancer. If your cycles become shorter or longer than usual, consult a doctor promptly.

Intermenstrual Bleeding

At times, women notice vaginal discharge or spotting outside their period. This discharge is generally normal, for example before menstruation or during other hormonal changes. Typically, normal vaginal discharge is clear and odorless.

If certain medical conditions are present, discharge can change color and odor in line with the disorder’s symptoms. For instance, in women with bacterial sexually transmitted infections, vaginal discharge may appear gray, greenish-yellow, or purulent.

In cervical cancer, vaginal discharge can be blood-tinged with a foul odor, or you may notice bleeding between menstrual periods. However, this symptom is more common in advanced cervical cancer.

While these patterns can raise awareness about reproductive health, including cervical cancer, irregular menstruation can also result from many other factors, such as stress, an unhealthy lifestyle, side effects of birth control pills, or other local conditions around the vagina.

To confirm cervical cancer, you still need a VIA test or a Pap smear. You can obtain both tests at the nearest healthcare facility.

If you want to know more about these two examinations, you can read in AiKnow mini-booklet by Ai Care in this link.