Cervical cancer

Symptoms of cervical cancer

Early cervical cancers and pre cancerous cell changes don't usually have symptoms. Not everyone diagnosed with cervical cancer has symptoms. So it's important to attend regular cervical screening.

If you have any of these symptoms, you must get them checked by your GP. But remember, they can all be caused by other conditions. Most people with these symptoms don’t have cervical cancer.

Get tips on seeing your GP about your symptoms

Vaginal bleeding

The most common symptom of cervical cancer is bleeding from the vagina at times other than when you're having a period. You may have bleeding:

between periods
during or after sex
at any time after your menopause

Bleeding after sex

Bleeding after sex isn't necessarily a sign of cervical cancer. It's often caused by something called a cervical erosion or ectropion.

A cervical erosion means that the cells normally inside the cervical canal (glandular cells) can be seen on the outside surface of the cervix (ectocervix). It is common:

in young girls
during pregnancy
in women on the contraceptive pill

This is due to changes in hormone levels. Sex can make it start bleeding.

Cervical erosion has nothing to do with cancer. It's harmless and often goes away by itself or by changing contraception. Sometimes, it might need treatment. Your doctor does this by freezing the area under local anaesthetic (cryotherapy).

As cervical cancer can also cause bleeding after sex, it is always sensible to get any unusual bleeding checked by your doctor.

Discomfort or pain during sex

Some women have discomfort or pain during sex. This is called dyspareunia.

Many other conditions can cause this symptom. But you should see your doctor straight away if you have this.

Other symptoms

Some women also have:

a vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant
pain in the area between the hip bones (pelvis)

Cervical screening

Pre cancerous cell changes do not have any symptoms. The cervical screening programme aims to pick these changes up and prevent cancer from developing in the first place.

Find out about cervical screening

Last reviewed: 06 Sept 2023

Next review due: 06 Sept 2026

Getting diagnosed with cervical cancer

You usually start by seeing your GP if you have symptoms that could be due to cervical cancer. Your doctor will then decide whether to do tests or refer you to a specialist.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow uncontrollably and eventually form a growth (tumour).

About cervical screening

Cervical screening uses HPV primary screening. The cervical cells are first of all tested for the HPV virus. If high risk HPV is found, the laboratory will test the sample for cell changes.

Stages, types and grades of cervical cancer

The stage of a cancer tells you about its size and whether it has spread. The type means the type of cell the cancer started from. The grade means how abnormal the cells look under the microscope.

Treatment for cervical cancer

Your treatment depends on several factors. These include what type of cervical cancer you have, how big it is, whether it has spread (the stage) and the grade. It also depends on your general health.