Cervical Cancer signs... how do you know?

[TitsalinaBumSquash]

I am just wondering, i know one of the warning signs of Cervical Cancer is bleeding between periods, but if like me you have a Coil and sometimes have very light bleeding/spotting and no real periods how do you know if its a warning symptom of CC or just side effects of the Coil?

Probably a silly question but since having the Coil (Mirena) fitted in Feb this is the first month i have missed a Period but just had light Cramps and one lot of light spotting, this was incidentally the morning after Sex (sorry tmi!) so how am i meant to know when to get checked?

Perhaps see the practice nurse/GP (depending on who fitted the Mirena) in case it got moved or dislodged during sex. This might cause the cramps and spotting.
Best to get them to check it's still in position and discuss your worries re cervical cancer at the same time. If you're up to date with screening then it's unlikely to be cancer. It's also not an indication to have a smear test if you had one recently (i.e in the last 30 months) so you probably won't get offered one.

Other places for info re cervical screening including videos here

I haven't had a smear test, they wont do one until i am 25 and thats not for a couple of years yet.

The Coil is still in i can feel the strings.
My period is due so i assumed the spotting and cramps was due to that.

The site I linked to has info about why the under 25s aren't screened.

It may be due to your period being about to start. One short episode of spottting and cramps is more likely to be related to the above than cervical cancer. However if your symptoms continue then really think about getting it checked out. In answer to your original question it's not possible to say (particularly over the internet!) what's caused your symptoms. You can look at possibilities and probabilities - if there is something bothering you then get a real life nurse or doctor to have a look at you. :)

Thanks.

Sorry for my ignorance on this subject but surely you can insist on a smear test, regardless of your age??

They won't do one until you're 25???

No you can't - see my link above and follow the FAQ about screening ages.

No they wont do one i got a lecture from a gyne when i was pregnant about not having one so i asked for one after my Baby was born and they said wait 6 months for the cervix to settle, so i went back got unchanged and ready only to be told that actually they couldn't do it without drs written concent ans i wasnt yet 25!

I have had more spotting today and im still a bit crampy, i sahl assume its my 'period' as it was due a few days ago and i know it can stop with the mirena.

Unfortunately not all gynae staff are as up to date with the screening guidelines as they could be. I guess it's because it's not their daily work. There's been a few people told to have a smear by HVs/midwives but are under the age for screening.
Hope it settles down soon and take action if it doesn't. :)

I'm confused about the age limit, I had a smear at 20 has it changed recently? I didn't have any symptoms just got a letter from my gp saying I needed to have one

Marjee - Scotland starts at 20 (local policy decision).
If you live in England and you got a letter directly from your GP inviting you (and you hadn't had one before) then they shouldn't have done that. The central database (Open Exeter) won't send an invitation letter until you're at least 24.5 y/o.
This illustrates my point above about people not being up to date with the guidelines, the screening age changed in 2004.

Well, have to confess to being shocked to hear about the raising in screening age. I had colposcopy at 21 for some dodgy cells that wouldn't go away on their own. If I'd had to wait til 25 they could have developed into cancer!! Scary.