2) Pain during intercourse

Researchers have suggested that experiencing pain during intimacy could be a warning sign of cervical cancer.

This discomfort doesn’t always manifest as severe pain—it can be as subtle as mild discomfort during sex.

However, because there are countless other potential causes—many of which are far less serious—cervical cancer is often overlooked when it shouldn’t be.

For instance, women who have gone through menopause may experience painful sex due to vaginal dryness. Similarly, infections like thrush or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also lead to discomfort.

Psychological factors, such as past trauma, may contribute to pain during intercourse, as can long-term conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

That said, tumors in or around the cervix—or affecting nearby organs—could also be responsible for the pain. If this symptom is concerning you, it’s always best to get checked by a doctor.

3) Unusual discharge

Changes in vaginal discharge—whether in color, texture, or smell—can be caused by various factors, with thrush being one of the most common culprits.

Typically, healthy discharge is clear or white, has no strong odor, and can vary in consistency depending on the menstrual cycle.

However, if discharge becomes dark yellow, brown, green, or grey, develops a foul or fishy smell, or takes on a chunky, foamy, or itchy texture, it could signal an infection—or, in more concerning cases, cervical cancer.

4) Lower back or pelvic pain

Pain in these areas can stem from an injury or some type of physical trauma—such as a slipped disc or a trapped nerve.

When it comes to back pain, it may also be linked to degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis, disc disease, or spinal stenosis.

Many menstruating women report experiencing lower back pain during their periods, and the same is true for pelvic discomfort.

Pelvic pain, however, can have a variety of causes, including urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts, endometriosis, kidney stones, or muscular issues like pelvic floor spasms or a hernia.

Doctors caution that when this type of pain occurs alongside other concerning symptoms, it could potentially signal cancer.

In such cases, the pain is typically the result of a tumor growing and exerting pressure on nearby organs or tissues.