Warnings Signs of Cervical Cancer
Knowing the warning signs of cervical cancer can be beneficial. Education and awareness are powerful tools in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. If a person knows the possible indicators of cervical cancer, they are more likely to seek immediate medical care. Earlier detection and treatment bode well for patient outcomes.
Knowing the warning signs of cervical cancer is not a substitute for screenings and tests, but it can empower individuals to be proactive in seeking medical care. If your doctor failed to notice the warning signs of cervical cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. Reach out to an experienced cervical cancer malpractice lawyer today.
Early Signs of Cervical Cancer
In many cases, individuals do not experience any symptoms during the early stages of cervical cancer. For this reason, pap smears can be important in the detection of cell changes before cancer actually develops. Without screening and accurate test results, an individual may not realize that they need to seek medical care until alerted by the symptoms that arise in later stages.
Common Signs of Cervical Cancer
Symptoms typically emerge in the more advanced stages of cervical cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Common warning signs include:
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Heavier than usual menstrual bleeding
- Spotting between periods
- Pain during intercourse
- Pelvic pain
- Post-menopausal vaginal bleeding
The presence of one or more of these warning signs does not necessarily mean that an individual has cervical cancer. Other conditions, such as infections, can produce similar symptoms. However, because these warning signs are associated with cervical cancer, it is advisable to seek medical attention if signs occur.
Negative Pap Smears and Warning Signs
Medical professionals attribute the decreased mortality rates for cervical cancer to pap smears. Pap smears can be effective tools for early detection of abnormal cells, but in some cases, a negligent physician or laboratory technician may make an error that results in the reporting of a false-negative to the patient. If an error like this occurs, a patient may lose the advantage of treatment during the early stages of cervical cancer.
Due to the occurrence of medical negligence in pap smear results, it is advisable to take warning signs of cervical cancer seriously even if pap smear results have been reportedly negative. Patients’ determination to seek medical care when symptoms arise, despite having normal pap smears, is often the driving force for the discovery of cervical cancer and the potential cause of action against negligent physicians, cytotechnologists, or pathologists.
It is vitally important that patients detail each and every warning sign that they experience to their physician. Patients’ narratives become part of their medical records.
Whether or not cervical cancer is the cause of the reported symptoms, it is beneficial to have a medical record that accurately reflects the symptoms that the patient experienced at or around a particular time. It also serves as documentation of the knowledge that the physician had or should have had, at that time, regarding warning signs of cervical cancer.
How Knowing Cervical Cancer Warning Signs Can Help
In addition to prompting individuals to seek medical attention regarding troubling symptoms, knowing the warning signs of cervical cancer can also prompt individuals to investigate whether or not an error occurred in past treatment. If a patient received negative pap smear results, prior to the discovery of cervical cancer at an advanced stage, the patient may have a right to financial recovery. Contact a seasoned medical malpractice attorney in Maryland who may be able to assist you with a cervical cancer claim.
