Cervical cancer

What is it?

The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the womb, where it opens into the vagina.⁴ Cervical cancer usually grows very slowly: first some cells change (precancer), and if they are not treated they can turn into cancer.^5,3 Almost all cases are caused by a long-lasting infection with high-risk types of HPV, a common virus passed on through close skin contact during sex.⁴ The body often clears HPV within a year or two.⁴

Anyone with a cervix can get it.^5,6 It is most common between the ages of 30 and 35.^6,5 A weak immune system (for example with HIV), smoking, having several children or having children before age 17, and taking the pill for more than 5 years may make it more likely, though the pill only slightly raises the risk.⁶ The HPV vaccine and regular cervical screening lower the risk.⁶

The first signs

Signs can include:

• bleeding from the vagina that is unusual for you: during or after sex, between periods, after the menopause, or heavier periods;²
• changes to your vaginal discharge;²
• pain during sex;²
• pain in your lower back, pelvis or lower tummy.²

These signs are very common and can be caused by many different conditions, such as fibroids or endometriosis.²

How doctors find out

If screening finds changed cells, or you have signs, you are usually sent for a colposcopy.⁷ A specialist looks at your cervix through a microscope, which takes 15 to 30 minutes; it may be uncomfortable but should not hurt.⁷ A small sample may be taken (biopsy), and changed cells can sometimes be removed straight away.⁷

If you have cancer, blood tests, scans (CT, MRI, PET or a chest X-ray) and sometimes an examination while you are asleep show its size and whether it has spread.⁷ Colposcopy results can take several weeks.⁷ A specialist nurse is your main contact.⁷

Current treatment

Surgery is often the main treatment for early cervical cancer. Radiotherapy can be the main treatment if the cancer is large or has spread, and chemotherapy may be given with it. Targeted medicines or immunotherapy may be used if the cancer is advanced or has come back.Source: NHS

Will it get worse?

Cervical cancer usually develops very slowly, and it is often treatable.^5,8 How serious it is depends on how big it is, whether it has spread, and your general health.⁵ About 4 in 10 are found before they have spread beyond the cervix.⁹

It can come back, so you have check-ups often: usually every 3 to 4 months for the first 2 years, then every 6 months.^10,11 When it cannot be cured, treatment aims to hold it back, ease symptoms and help you live longer, and a palliative care team helps you and your family.⁸

Medicines: what helps, and what to watch for

Chemotherapy kills cancer cells.⁸ Chemotherapy may be given with radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy) as the main treatment, or after surgery to help stop the cancer coming back.⁸ Targeted medicines and immunotherapy are used for advanced cancer or cancer that has come back; they aim to shrink it or stop it growing, not to cure it.⁸

Surgery and radiotherapy

Surgery is often the main treatment for early cancer.⁸ A very small cancer may be treated by removing part of the cervix. One way is to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix, and sometimes all the cancer can be removed this way.^8,10 Removing the cervix and the top of the vagina but keeping the womb may let you get pregnant later.⁸ A hysterectomy removes the womb, cervix and top of the vagina, and sometimes the ovaries and tubes.⁸ Surgery to remove the cervix, womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes, and all or parts of the bladder, bowel, vagina or rectum, is only offered if the cancer has come back and other treatment is not possible.⁸ Nearby lymph glands may be removed too.⁸ Recovery from surgery can take a long time, depending on the surgery.⁸

Radiotherapy can be the main treatment if the cancer is large or has spread, and it may be given with chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy).⁸ It can be given from outside the body or from inside, placed close to the cancer (brachytherapy), and it can also ease symptoms such as bleeding.^8,10

Is there a cure?

Yes, if it is found and treated early.³ If you have advanced cervical cancer, it might be very hard to treat and it may not be possible to cure it, but treatment aims to help you live longer.⁸ Clinical trials test new treatments and new ways of using today's treatments.¹⁰

See the 619 trials you can join

Median survival

26 months with pembrolizumab + chemo, spread or came backSource: NCI PDQ, 2025

Measured in: Women with persistent, recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, first-line treatment (KEYNOTE-826, 617 women)

Sources

Written in plain words by Frontlight from these pages:

1. NHS
2. NHS: Cervical cancer – Symptoms
3. WHO: Cervical cancer (fact sheet)
4. MedlinePlus: Cervical Cancer
5. NHS: Cervical cancer – What is cervical cancer?
6. NHS: Cervical cancer – Causes
7. NHS: Cervical cancer – Tests and next steps
8. NHS: Cervical cancer – Treatment
9. NCI SEER: Cancer Stat Facts: Cervical Cancer
10. NCI PDQ: Cervical Cancer Treatment (PDQ) – Patient Version
11. NCI PDQ: Cervical Cancer Treatment (PDQ) – Health Professional Version