The Common Screening Failures leading to Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis | Nash & Co Solicitors
Written by Mike Shiers and Rebecca Brisley | Medical Negligence team | 11 February 2026
For most women, the cervical screening programme offers reassurance that early signs of cancer will be caught before they become serious. The test is designed to detect abnormal cells and, if needed, ensure treatment begins quickly. When that process fails, the consequences can be devastating.
Discovering that your cervical cancer was diagnosed late or that earlier screening results were incorrect can cause immense distress. You may be left wondering how such an important test could go wrong, and whether earlier action might have changed the outcome. For many people, what hurts most is the feeling that the warning signs were there but not acted upon.
Misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis is rarely the result of a single mistake. It usually happens because several small errors were made along the way. Understanding where those failures occur can help patients and families recognise when negligence may have played a part.
What this article will cover
In this article, we’ll look at how cervical cancer misdiagnosis can happen, the most common screening and communication failures, and what steps you can take if you suspect negligence. We’ll also explain how our team at Nash & Co Solicitors supports clients across Plymouth, Devon, Cornwall and the wider UK in uncovering the truth, securing answers, and helping them move forward with confidence.
How cervical screening is meant to work
Cervical screening, often called a smear test, checks for high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause abnormal cell changes in the cervix. If HPV is found, the same sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells that could develop into cancer if left untreated.
The process involves several key stages:
The sample is collected by a nurse or GP.
It is sent to a laboratory for HPV testing and, if required, cytology (cell) analysis.
Results are then sent back to the GP and patient, usually within a few weeks.
If abnormalities are found, a referral is made for a colposcopy or further investigation.
When each of these steps is carried out properly, cervical screening is an effective early detection tool. However, even small mistakes in testing, recording, or follow-up can lead to significant delays in diagnosis.
Common failures in cervical cancer screening
Errors in taking the sample
If the sample is collected incorrectly, the test may not contain enough cervical cells for accurate analysis. This can lead to a false negative result, where abnormal cells are present but not detected. In some cases, the patient is not recalled for a repeat test even though the original sample was inadequate.
Mistakes in laboratory analysis
The laboratory stage is where many misdiagnoses occur. Cytology screening relies on human interpretation, and sometimes abnormal cells can be overlooked. Fatigue, high workloads or lack of experience can all increase the risk of human error. Even with digital screening and double-checking systems, misread results still happen.
Poor communication between services
Even if abnormal results are correctly identified, errors in communication can prevent the right follow-up action from being taken. Letters may not reach the patient, referral forms may be delayed, or test results may not be properly recorded in the patient’s notes. These administrative issues can cause harmful delays in treatment.
Failing to investigate symptoms between screenings
Cervical screening is designed for people without symptoms. If someone develops symptoms such as unusual bleeding or pain between routine tests, they should be investigated promptly. Unfortunately, some patients are told to wait until their next smear instead of being referred for urgent assessment. When symptoms are ignored or dismissed, cancers that could have been caught early can go undiagnosed for months or even years.
When screening failures amount to negligence
Not every error is classed as negligence. A medical negligence claim can be made if a healthcare professional or organisation fails to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonably competent practitioner and this causes avoidable harm.
In cervical cancer cases, this may include:
Misreading or losing smear test results
Delaying follow-up investigations after abnormal findings
Failing to act on symptoms between screenings
Providing incorrect information that prevents timely treatment
If the delay or error meant that your cancer progressed or treatment options became more limited, you may have grounds for a claim.
The impact of a delayed diagnosis
Cervical cancer is often highly treatable when caught early. Delays can mean that what might have been a straightforward procedure becomes more invasive or complex. It can affect fertility, long-term health, and emotional wellbeing.
Many of the people we speak to at Nash & Co describe not only the physical consequences of a late diagnosis but also the mental toll of feeling let down by a system they trusted. They want answers, and they want to make sure the same mistakes do not happen to someone else.
What to do if you suspect negligence
If you believe mistakes were made in your cervical screening or diagnosis, there are steps you can take:
Request a full copy of your medical records, including smear test results and correspondence
Make notes about what happened and when
Contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor who can review your case
You do not need to know exactly what went wrong before seeking advice. A solicitor can help you identify potential errors and obtain expert medical opinions to support your case.
How Nash & Co Solicitors can help
At Nash & Co Solicitors, we have significant experience supporting people who have suffered due to cervical cancer misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Our medical negligence team works with independent medical experts to establish what happened and whether the care you received fell below acceptable standards.
We take pride in being approachable, transparent, and clear about your options. From the first conversation, you will speak with an experienced member of the team who will listen carefully, explain your choices, and never put pressure on you to proceed. If you wish to go ahead, we can handle your claim on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you will not pay anything unless your case is successful.
To find out more, call 01752 827067 or email medneg@nash.co.uk for a confidential, no-obligation discussion.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The most common reasons include errors in reading smear test samples, poor sample collection, and failures in communication or follow-up. Even small mistakes can lead to missed abnormalities that delay diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, the wrong advice is given because early symptoms are mistaken for minor infections.
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Yes. Losing or delaying test results can amount to negligence if it caused a delay in diagnosis and avoidable harm. Your solicitor can review your medical records to confirm where the mistake happened and how it affected your care.
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The amount varies depending on the severity of your illness, how it has affected your health, and any financial losses you have experienced. Compensation is intended to help with treatment, recovery, and quality of life after a preventable error.
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Most medical negligence claims take between 18 months and three years to reach a conclusion. The exact timeframe depends on the complexity of your case and how quickly medical evidence can be gathered and reviewed.
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No. Making a claim will not affect your ongoing medical treatment, and your right to NHS care remains exactly the same. Hospitals and GPs are required to treat all patients fairly, regardless of whether a claim is made.
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No. While Nash & Co Solicitors are based in Plymouth, we work with clients across Devon, Cornwall, and throughout the UK. We regularly assist people both locally and nationally with cervical cancer negligence claims.
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Yes. A close family member or a representative of the person’s estate can make a claim if negligence led to a death. This can help secure financial support and recognition of what went wrong.
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You can still make a claim against a private hospital, clinic, or consultant if their care fell below an acceptable standard. Private providers have the same duty of care as the NHS.
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With a No Win No Fee agreement, you only pay legal fees if your claim is successful. The success fee and any shortfall are agreed in advance so you know exactly what to expect before starting your claim.
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Yes. We regularly work with independent consultants who review medical evidence and prepare expert reports to help establish whether negligence occurred and what difference it made to your outcome.
