Will I be at increased risk of cervical cancer because my mother had it?

What is cervical erosion?

Question
When is it necessary to have a cervical smear? My mother had cervical cancer. Does this increase the risk to me?

Answer
A cervical smear is just a test to look at the cells on the neck of the womb. It's a simple and painless procedure.

What the doctor is looking for is cells which, if left, might become a cancer. We know that it takes time for these cells to turn cancerous.

If you have a smear every three to five years, any such cells are likely to be found before a cancer has begun. The cells can then be easily treated without much of a problem.

Really, it's one of the few cancers you can avoid by finding the signs of change before the cancer begins. Your mother having cervical cancer does not put you at a hugely increased risk of getting it, but it still makes sense for you to have regular smears.

One final point is that we only recommend smears to women who are sexually active. If you haven't become sexually active then your risk of cervical cancer is very low.

Yours sincerely

Dr Bob Leckridge, GP