Early warning signs of cervical cancer as Snooki opens up about diagnosis

Around 250 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ireland every year

The 38-year-old was diagnosed after putting off smear tests after a doctor recomended her getting one every six months due to abnormal results.

“I ended up not going for like a year and a half because it's uncomfortable, it's not fun.”

“I knew something bad could happen,” she said, “but instead of dealing with it, I just pretended it wasn't happening.”

It was after this smear that she received the heartbreaking diagnosis.

"I got to my car and I called my mom hysterically crying, thinking the worst," she recalled.

Snooki's condition is treatable, but the star revealed that she is having to undergo a hysterectomy.

“I'm not great with pain, so thinking about removing an organ is scary,” she said. “That's a part of being a woman and even though I'm done having kids, the thought of not being able to really upset me. It messes with you a little bit.”

Snooki is now urging other women to be aware of the warning signs of cervical cancer.

“I feel like nobody talks about cervical cancer,” she says. "The main point of me talking about this is for girls to get on their s--t and not do what I did… this is very preventable.”

Being aware of the symptoms is so vital because it can help detect the disease early.

Anyone with a cervix who has had sexual contact with a man or woman can get cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer mostly affects women aged 30 to 50 who have ever been sexually active.

The issue with this type of cancer is the early symptoms mirror other health conditions.

The four early symptoms of cervical cancer include:

Abnormal bleeding

Abnormal or irregular bleeding can be a sign of cervical cancer, but it can also be a sign of other issues.

The HSE states, "Usual bleeding from your vagina is usually the first symptom you may notice."

This includes bleeding:

• outside of your normal periods
• during or after sex
• after you have been through menopause

Pain during sex

Another early sign of cervical cancer is feeling pain or discomfort during sex.

You may feel pain when you're having intercourse, whether it is severe or just a slight discomfort.

The HSE said the issue with this is many other conditions may cause discomfort during sex.

However, experts stressed that you should always seek medical attention if you're suffering from this as dismissing symptoms is extremely common in cervical cancer cases.

Tumours growing on tissues in and around the cervix will cause pain and discomfort during sex.

Pelvic and lower back pain

Experiencing pain in your lower back and pelvis is a symptom many people will experience during their period.

However, it is another sign of cervical cancer if you're also suffering from pain during sex, abnormal bleeding, and unusual discharge.

The pain may range from anywhere between your belly button and the top of your thighs.

Unusual discharge

Multiple issues can cause a change in the colour, consistency, or smell of discharge.

Normal discharge is often clear or white, and non-smelling.

However, it can change in thickness depending on the stage of your menstrual cycle.

Anything outside of this may be a sign of a health issue, including cervical cancer.

Women or anyone with a cervix should contact their GP if they're displaying any of the above symptoms.