A new 5-year wait for cervical screenings shouldn’t stop people from seeking appointments if they have cancer symptoms, warns a GP.
From July, cervical screenings, which used to be called smear tests, involve taking a small sample of cells from your cervix to test for HPV. Women aged 25 to 49 who test negative for high-risk HPV are now invited for screenings every 5 years instead of 3.
Those who test positive for HPV will be invited for screenings more frequently to monitor for abnormal cell changes.
While clinical evidence has shown that five-yearly cervical screening is as safe as three-yearly screening for women aged 25 to 49 who test negative for high-risk HPV, with the same number of cervical cancers detected, Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and Medical Director of Midland Health, is urging women experiencing cervical cancer symptoms to book an appointment, rather than waiting for their next invite.
The most common symptoms of cervical cancer include:
- Pain During Sex – New pain during intercourse can be a sign of cervical cancer if a growing tumour is impacting nearby tissues.
- Recurrent UTIs – Three or more unexplained UTIs annually may suggest cervical cancer and a tumour that has already obstructed the urinary tract.
- Pelvic Pain – Cervical cancer can cause persistent, unexplained pelvic or lower back pain, especially if it intensifies during sex, urination, or bowel movements.
- Vaginal Bleeding – Unusual bleeding, such as spotting between periods, post-menopausal bleeding, or bleeding during sex. Heavy or prolonged cycles are also warning signs.
- Discharge – Changes in the volume, odour, or colour of discharge or the presence of blood are also key symptoms.
- Unexplained Weight Loss – Cancer can prevent nutrient absorption and increase calorie burning. Sudden, unexplained weight loss is a significant sign and does require immediate medical attention.
Dr Rupa Parmar said, “Even though 1 in 142 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in their lifetime, 1 in 3 aren’t attending their screenings, and the most common symptoms of the cancer usually go overlooked. Cervical screenings detect pre-cancerous changes, not just cancer itself, allowing treatment before cancer develops. That’s why going to your screenings is really necessary to start treatment sooner, and therefore, increase your chance of survival.
“It’s also important to understand what’s normal for your body, as this helps you to identify if something is wrong and to be able to explain it to your GP better. To ensure your voice is heard, it’s a good idea to write down everything you want to say, including all your symptoms.
“Reducing your risk of HPV is also crucial to preventing cervical cancer. HPV can be caught from contact with genital areas, sex, or sex toys, so it’s wise to practice safe sex using condoms correctly. You should also make sure you’ve had the HPV vaccine, which can protect against serious infection. Though it’s worth noting that HPV is extremely common and most infections will clear on their own. It’s the high-risk strains and persistent infections that can increase cancer risk.”
