When to Seek Medical Care

Early cervical precancers and cancer often have no signs or symptoms. Therefore, it is important to have regular Pap smears. Symptoms usually appear when the cancer has progressed.

The following symptoms must be reported to a health care provider right away:

• Unusual vaginal discharge
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• Blood spots or light bleeding other than a normal period
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• Bleeding or pain during sex

These symptoms do not conclude that someone has cancer. Other conditions may cause these symptoms, but a check-up is necessary to determine the cause.