Cervical cancer can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding but so can a number of other non-cancerous conditions.

For women who are still having their periods, abnormal vaginal bleeding is either:

• bleeding that happens between periods
• periods that last for more than 7 days
• periods that are very heavy (needing to change a tampon or pad every hour or two)

Cancers that can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding are cancer of the neck of the womb (cancer of the cervix) and cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial cancer), although this is very uncommon in younger women, who have not gone through the menopause. Cancer of the vagina can also lead to abnormal bleeding but this is a very rare type of cancer.

There are, however, other conditions that can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. Three of the commonest of these are:

• polyps: these are completely benign, sac-like, growths, which can develop from the lining of the womb or the cervix.
• fibroids: these are also benign (non-cancerous) growths which develop in the wall of the womb
• thickening of the lining of the womb: this is also known as endometrial hyperplasia and it is a non-cancerous condition.

All these conditions are much more common than cervical cancer and can be easily treated.

If you do have abnormal vaginal bleeding the chances are that it is due to something other than cancer. But to be sure of this it is necessary to have a proper medical examination and some simple tests. So it is important to discuss the problem with your GP. Not only will this make sure that the problem is dealt with but it will also mean that if there is a cancer it will be caught at an early stage when there is still an excellent chance of a complete cure.