What to do if repeated Cervical Cancer symptoms were ignored | Nash & Co Solicitors
Written by Mike Shiers and Rebecca Brisley | Medical Negligence team | 13 February 2026
If you’ve been experiencing symptoms for some time but felt your concerns were dismissed or overlooked by medical professionals, it can be deeply frustrating and worrying. Many people trust their GP or healthcare provider completely, so being told that your symptoms are nothing to worry about, only to later discover a serious diagnosis such as cervical cancer, can be devastating.
When symptoms are ignored, it’s not just your health that suffers. It can affect your mental wellbeing, your ability to work, and your trust in medical professionals. Sadly, delayed diagnosis can lead to more advanced disease, more invasive treatment, and a harder recovery. Understanding what to do next is the first step toward finding answers and, where appropriate, seeking justice.
What this article will cover
This guide explains why symptoms are sometimes missed or dismissed, what to do if your symptoms were repeatedly ignored, and how to begin the process of investigating a potential cervical cancer negligence claim. It also outlines how Nash & Co Solicitors can support you with expert advice and genuine care at every step.
Why symptoms are sometimes ignored
Symptoms such as pelvic pain, unusual bleeding, or changes after a smear test should never be ignored, yet many people report that their concerns were brushed aside. This can happen for several reasons:
Assumptions about age or health: Some doctors may incorrectly believe that cervical cancer is unlikely in younger women or those who have had recent normal smear tests.
Misinterpretation of symptoms: Symptoms may be attributed to less serious conditions such as hormonal changes, infections, or stress.
Overstretched healthcare services: In busy practices, shorter appointments can make it harder for GPs to fully explore persistent symptoms.
Communication failures: Missed follow-up appointments or misplaced test results can prevent symptoms from being properly investigated.
Most healthcare professionals work with the best of intentions, but when mistakes or oversights occur and cause harm, this can amount to medical negligence.
What to do if your symptoms were dismissed
If you feel your symptoms were not taken seriously, it’s important to take steps to protect your health and gather evidence.
Seek a second opinion
If you’re still unwell or worried, ask to see another GP or specialist. You have every right to request further investigation or a referral for diagnostic tests.
Request your medical records
These will show what symptoms you reported, when appointments took place, and what actions were taken. They form a vital part of any negligence investigation.
Keep a written record
Note down when you first experienced symptoms, what you told your GP, and what advice or treatment you were given. Written notes help demonstrate persistence and timeline.
Ask for test results
If tests were carried out, ask for copies of the results and any letters or referrals. This helps establish whether crucial follow-up steps were missed.
Contact a solicitor specialising in medical negligence
An experienced lawyer can review your records and advise whether the care you received may have fallen below acceptable standards.
Taking these steps does not commit you to starting a claim, but it ensures you’re informed and supported while you decide what to do next.
When ignored symptoms become negligence
Not every missed symptom amounts to negligence. To bring a successful claim, it must be shown that your healthcare provider breached their duty of care and that this failure directly caused harm. For example, if your GP repeatedly dismissed symptoms that would have prompted a reasonable doctor to order further tests, and this delay led to a later or more severe diagnosis, this could be negligence.
Negligence might involve:
Failing to refer you to a specialist after repeated consultations
Ignoring abnormal test results or not following up on them
Misdiagnosing your symptoms as something minor without proper investigation
Not acting on clear signs of infection, bleeding, or pain that persisted over time
Each case is unique, and understanding where the failure occurred requires both medical and legal expertise.
How these delays can affect health and treatment
When early symptoms are ignored, diagnosis and treatment can be significantly delayed. In cervical cancer cases, this might mean that a small, easily treatable abnormality progresses into something far more serious before action is taken. This can lead to:
More invasive surgery or treatment
Fertility being affected
Longer recovery periods
Increased physical and emotional distress
Reduced chances of a full recovery
The consequences of inaction can ripple through every part of your life, from your health and family life to your finances and future plans.
Gathering evidence for a negligence claim
If you decide to explore a claim, your solicitor will collect detailed evidence to show what went wrong and what difference it made to your outcome. This often includes:
Your medical records and correspondence
GP and hospital appointment notes
Expert medical opinions to compare your care with expected standards
Any written complaints or responses from the NHS or private provider
This evidence helps to establish both the breach of duty and the harm caused. Your solicitor will handle the process for you, keeping you updated and supported throughout.
Why early legal advice makes a difference
Seeking advice early gives your solicitor more time to gather evidence and obtain independent medical reports. It also ensures your claim is started within the legal time limit, which is usually three years from the date you realised negligence may have occurred. Early advice can also help secure interim payments for urgent needs such as private treatment or lost income, if liability is accepted.
How Nash & Co Solicitors can help
At Nash & Co Solicitors, we understand how distressing it can be to discover that your concerns were ignored. Our medical negligence team supports clients across Plymouth, Devon, Cornwall, and throughout the UK, combining expertise with a genuinely caring approach.
We will review your situation, request your records, and work with trusted medical experts to understand what went wrong. You will always receive clear and honest advice about your options, and you’ll never be pressured to take action before you feel ready.
Most claims are funded on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning you only pay if your case is successful. Any costs or success fees are agreed upfront, so you always know where you stand.
If you believe your symptoms were ignored or your diagnosis was delayed, please contact us on 01752 827067 or email medneg@nash.co.uk. You’ll speak directly with an experienced solicitor who will listen carefully and explain your options without obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. If your GP or consultant failed to act on symptoms that should have prompted further tests or referrals, and this led to a delayed diagnosis or harm, you may have grounds for a claim.
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Your medical records, appointment notes, and correspondence will be key. A solicitor can help you obtain these and work with medical experts to assess your care.
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You generally have three years from the date you became aware that negligence occurred. It’s best to seek advice as soon as possible.
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If a reasonable doctor would have referred you for further investigation but yours did not, this may be negligence. Your solicitor will help determine if this applies to your case.
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No. Your right to NHS treatment and support remains the same, regardless of whether you make a claim.
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Yes. Private healthcare providers have the same duty of care as NHS staff and can also be held accountable for substandard treatment.
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Most claims take between 18 months and three years, depending on how complex the case is and whether the other side admits liability.
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Cases are run on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning you only pay if your case is successful. The details will be explained clearly before you proceed.
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You may still be able to claim if you only recently discovered that negligence caused your condition to worsen. The time limit starts from the date of awareness, not necessarily the date of the mistake.
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Our team will listen to your experience, review your records, and explain your options with transparency and care. We aim to make the process as simple and supportive as possible.
