Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation
Services offered
Cancer information
Cancer screening
Financial support and information
Overview
Your treatment will depend on the type and stage of cervical cancer, as well as your general health and whether you would like to have children in the future.
The main treatment for cervical cancer is often surgery or a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy (chemoradiation).
What's on this page
The treatment you have will depend on the stage of the cancer; your age and general health; and whether you would like to have children in the future. You may have more than one treatment, and treatments may be given in different orders and combinations.
Types of treatment
Surgery
Surgery is usually done when the tumour is in the cervix only. The type of surgery you have will depend on how far within the cervix the cancer has spread.Radiation therapy
This treatment uses targeted radiation, such as x-ray beams, to damage or kill cancer cells. It is often used alongside chemotherapy (chemoradiation) as the main treatment for cervical cancer.Drug therapies for cervical cancer
These treatments include chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which all aim to to kill cancer cells or slow their growth.Follow-up appointments
After treatment, you will need check-ups every 3–12 months for several years. These are to manage any long-term side effects and check that the cancer hasn’t come back (recurred) or spread. At check-ups, you may have a pelvic examination, follow-up HPV tests, blood tests, and imaging scans. Between visits, let your doctor know immediately if you have any symptoms.
What if cervical cancer returns?
While the risk of cervical cancer coming back is very low, it does return for some people. If the cancer does recur, you will usually be offered further treatment to treat the cancer or help control its growth. If you had radiation therapy the first time you had treatment, you may not be able to have further radiation therapy.
New drug treatments to treat a recurrence may be available through clinical trials. Ask your doctor whether a clinical trial may be an option for you.
Relevant support
National Cervical Screening Program
Australian Government
Services offered
Cancer screening
Find support services
Find the right services for your needs, wherever you are in Australia
Find support services
Find the right services for your needs, wherever you are in Australia
Need to talk to someone?
We're available 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)