Lisa Maffia breaks down in tears and says she DOESN’T have cervical cancer after scare

If any abnormal cells are found, these can be removed - to stop them becoming cancerous.

This is a preventative measure, and does not mean you already have cancer.

If you are between the ages of 25 and 49 you should go for a smear test every three years. If you are aged between 50 and 64 then it’s every five years, while women over the age of 65 are only invited if they have an abnormal test.

Get tested

If you don’t have a smear test and you have abnormal cells then these can develop into cancer.

Cancer Research UK states that changes in your cells doesn’t always mean that you have cancer.

It states: “The changed cells often go back to normal by themselves. But in some women, if not treated, these changes could develop into cancer in the future.

“It is very rare for an abnormal result to show that a cancer has already developed, especially if you have been having regular screening.”

If you do have normal cells these can be removed before they develop into cancer.

Removing them means they will not turn into cancer. Usually the size of the cells that will be removed are the size of a finger tip.

Issues during testing

Problems can also sometimes occur during testing and you may be told that you need to repeat the test - this doesn’t mean you have cancer.

This could mean that there was an interference with the test which stopped it from working properly.

Problems that may have occurred include there not being enough cells on the sample or if the cervix was inflamed at the time of testing.

So, what early signs do you need to look out for?

Abnormal bleeding (during or after sex, between periods and also post-menopause)

The most common and earliest sign of cervical cancer tends to be irregular bleeding.

It happens when the cancer cells grow on the tissue below the cervix.

It's an especially alarming sign in postmenopausal women who no longer have periods. There's no age limit to developing cervical cancer.

Unusual vaginal discharge

Everyone's discharge is different, so it's a case of knowing what is normal for you.

If you find that the colour, smell and consistency has changed, then that's something you really need to have checked out.

When cancer lacks oxygen, it can cause an infection which leads to strange smelling discharge.

Discomfort or pain during sex

Pain during sex can be a sign of a number of different issues, but one is cervical cancer.

Because the disease often comes with no symptoms, pain during intercourse is one of the key indicators. It can be a sign that the cancer is spreading to surrounding tissues.

Lower back pain

It could be down to you straining something in the gym, or it could be a warning sign that something's wrong with your reproductive organs.

Persistent pain - just one off twinges - in the lower back, pelvis or appendix can be a symptom of cervical cancer.

Unintended weight loss

While effortless weight loss might sound like the answer to many of our prayers, it's never a good sign if it happens seemingly without cause.

A loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss tend to be signs that the body isn't working properly - it's trying to conserve energy. If you notice that you're not eating as you normally do, go to your GP.

A smear test, or cervical screening test, checks for abnormal cells on the cervix (the womb's entrance from the vagina).

If any abnormal cells are found, these can be removed - to stop them becoming cancerous.

This is a preventative measure, and does not mean you already have cancer.

For one in 20 women, these checks will pick up some abnormal changes.

It's possible for sexually active women of any age to develop cervical cancer, but it's most common in women aged 25-29.

The condition is very rare in women under 25.

Women aged 25-49 are offered tests every three years, while women between the ages of 50 and 64 are tested every five years.