Your back pain could be hiding a serious illness: the sign to watch out for

Lower back pain can sometimes hide the existence of cancer, especially in women. Here is the sign that could put you on the spot. the ear. In this case, it is imperative to consult a doctor.

Who has never had back pain after a sports session or a long day at work? ? With the massive development of teleworking since the Covid-19 crisis, it is not uncommon to remain seated in front of your computer for eight to nine hours a day. And very often, the posture adopted is not the right one. Bent back, slumped over your desk, everything comes together to end the day exhausted with unbearable back pain. But in some cases, these back pains can turn out to be much more serious.

In reality, if you experience persistent back pain, it is best to consult your GP as soon as possible to remove any doubt, especially for women. All the more so if the pain is in the lower back. In some cases, this lower back pain can be the first sign of cervical cancer.

In France, 3,000 women are affected by cervical cancer each year. And nearly 1,000 of them die from it each year. Fortunately, lower back pain is not the only way to diagnose cervical cancer, or at least, the only warning that can alert you. In fact, three other symptoms exist: unusual vaginal bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse, or a sudden change in vaginal discharge. If any of these three scenarios occur, it is best to consult a doctor to check for any abnormalities.

In the columns of the Sun, Dr Radhika Vohra, general practitioner at Spire Gatwick Park Hospital, says that “a cervical smear test checks if your cervix is ​​infected with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)”. In fact, the vaccine against human papillomaviruses prevents infections, which are responsible for 90% of cervical cancers in women. “The vaccine is recommended for all young girls and also all boys aged 11 to 18. 14 years of age,” specifies the Health Insurance.

“If HPV is detected, the cells collected during the test will be examined under a microscope to check for any unusual changes in their appearance. And if abnormal changes are detected, further investigation will be recommended, and treatment may then be necessary to eliminate these cells,” continues the doctor. There you have it why regular pap smears can be a first line of defense against cervical cancer.