Cervical cancer

Hi

Thanks for getting in touch.

Smear tests (cervical screening) are used to find abnormal changes in cells of the cervix. It is a way of preventing cervical cancer as it detects changes in cells before they turn into cancer. 

Over the last few years cervical screening has changed. The test now looks for abnormal cells as well as the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). This is because many people have the HPV virus, which can cause cervical cancer.

Because abnormal cervical cells undergo changes over a long period of time, it can take several years for cervical cancer to develop. Currently in the UK, if someone has had a normal smear test they will be offered a repeat smear test after 3 years. The time frames for smear tests are guided by research, and therefore it is rare for a cancer to grow between smears.

It would be difficult to say how long it would take for cervical cancer to grow, how quickly it would progress to bleeding, and if the bleeding would get worse as everyone is different. There are also different causes for bleeding between periods.

However, it’s important to report any changes, such as the bleeding you mention has happened a few times over the past year. You do not mention your age, but any post-menopausal bleeding should be reported to the GP even if this has happened once. It’s good that you have made an appointment with your GP so you can get your symptoms checked out which should hopefully provide some reassurance.

Best wishes,

Louise R – Macmillan

Our Ref: Ahr