Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer develops very slowly, starting from abnormal cell changes in the cervix. These changes don't cause any symptoms, but cervical screening tests may find them. If the tests show abnormal cell changes, treatment can stop cancer from developing.

The cervix is the lower part of the womb (uterus), where it joins the top of the vagina. You may hear it called the neck of the womb. Women have a cervix, and so do transgender (trans) men and people assigned female at birth.

In the UK, more than 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. It can affect people of all ages.

A team of specialists will meet to talk about the best possible treatment for you. This is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

The treatment you have for cervical cancer depends on:

• the stage of the cancer
• the size of the cancer
• your general health
• whether you have been through the menopause
• whether you want to get pregnant in future

You and your specialist doctor will decide on the right treatment plan together. Your doctor is an expert in the most effective treatments, but you know most about your own situation and preferences.

Treatment for cervical cancer can affect your fertility, and it can also cause an early menopause. That means going through the menopause before the age of 45.

If you want to get pregnant in the future, talk to your doctors about it. You may be able to have a treatment that protects your fertility. If that isn't possible, your doctor can refer you to a fertility specialist, and you can talk with the specialist about options such as having your eggs or embryos stored before treatment starts.

You may need more than one of these treatments for cervical cancer. Some people also have treatment as part of a clinical trial.

Radiotherapy for cervical cancer uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. Doctors may use it on its own, or together with chemotherapy, which is called chemoradiation.

Chemotherapy for cervical cancer uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Targeted therapies are medicines that act on something in or around a cancer cell that helps the cell grow and survive. In cervical cancer, this is the idea behind them.

Your immune system protects your body against illness and infection.

Immunotherapies are treatments that use the immune system to find and attack cancer cells. Nivolumab (Opdivo®) and ipilimumab (YERVOY®) are immunotherapy drugs that doctors are starting to use in cervical cancer treatment. At the moment, though, they can only be given as part of a clinical trial.

Your doctor or nurse can tell you more about the right treatment for your situation.

Most cancers of the cervix are found at an early stage, and surgery is the main treatment.

Radiotherapy, or chemoradiation (radiotherapy given together with chemotherapy), is sometimes used as well:

• instead of surgery, if you're not fit for a big operation or general anaesthetic
• after surgery, to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back

For locally advanced cervical cancer, the main treatment is chemoradiation.

If cervical cancer has spread to distant parts of your body, such as the liver or lungs, doctors may use chemotherapy. Sometimes they add a targeted therapy called bevacizumab. These treatments can help shrink and control the cancer and ease symptoms, and this is called palliative treatment.

After your treatment for cervical cancer has finished, you'll have regular check-ups with your cancer doctor or nurse. These may include:

• a phone appointment
• a physical examination
• blood tests
• x-rays
• scans

Macmillan Cancer Support have more information on follow-up care after treatment.

Even if you already have a healthy lifestyle, you may choose to make some positive changes after treatment. Small changes like eating well and keeping active can improve your health and wellbeing, and they can help your body recover.

You may get anxious between appointments. This is natural. It may help to get support from family, friends or a support organisation.

Macmillan Cancer Support also has further information to support you. You can:

• phone the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00
• chat to Macmillan specialists online
• use the Macmillan cervical cancer forum, where you can talk to others affected by cervical cancer, ask questions and share your experience

Don't include personal information on the forum, such as your name, your location or any personal health conditions.