Cervical Cancer

Regular screenings with a simple test called a Pap smear are the best way to catch signs of cervical cancer in early stages. While this condition often causes no symptoms early on, you may start noticing some things that don’t seem right.

You might have watery or bloody vaginal discharge or bleed after sex, between your periods or after you’ve gone through menopause. Or your periods might be heavier or last longer than they used to. If you have any of these signs, it’s a good idea to see your Ob/Gyn or primary care provider.

At your first visit, your care team will make sure you get a thorough physical exam and go over your symptoms (if you have any) and your health history. We might also have you do some tests to help us confirm your diagnosis.

HPV test

Most cervical cancers are caused by a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV), which is spread through sex. Only high-risk strains of this virus can cause cancer. Your providers will take a sample of cells (similar to a Pap smear) and test them for signs of HPV.

Colposcopy

A colposcopy can help us check more closely for abnormal cells. We’ll use a lighted tool called a colposcope that magnifies your cervix so we can look for abnormal cells. If we see something that doesn’t look right, we’ll remove the cells and have them tested for signs of cancer (biopsy).

Other tests

If a biopsy shows you have cervical cancer, your care team might do blood tests and urine (pee) tests to see how well your liver and kidneys are working. They might also do X-rays of your bladder, rectum, bowels and abdomen (belly) to see if the cancer has spread (metastasized). This process is called staging.

Getting a second opinion for cervical cancer

A cancer diagnosis can make you anxious, worried and overwhelmed about what’s next. You need to feel confident that you’ve chosen the right care team — one that will listen to your concerns, answer your questions and give you the best possible care. That’s why we encourage second opinions.

Our highly skilled cervical cancer team is here for you. We’ll take the time to answer questions, explain treatment options and offer expertise. And because we know that cancer doesn’t wait, we always try to schedule your appointment with us as soon as possible. A second opinion can give you peace of mind, knowing that you’re in the most capable, caring hands.

Meet Your Cervical Cancer Care Team

If you find out you have cervical cancer after an abnormal Pap test and exam, your provider will then refer you to one of our gynecologic oncologists. They’ll lead a team of other skilled providers, like:

• Medical oncologists.
• Radiation oncologists.
• Surgical oncologists.
• Fertility specialists.
• Endocrinologists.
• Social workers.
• Psychologists.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.

This team will work together to plan your cervical cancer treatment and guide you through it from the moment you’re diagnosed.

Once we confirm your diagnosis, we’ll spend time going over your treatment plan with you. We’ll consider your age, general health, how far your disease has progressed (stage) and if you want to have children. You might have radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery or a combination of all three.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cervical cancer cells. We can do this outside your body (external beam radiation — EBRT) with a machine that aims radiation at the area with cancer. Or we can do it inside your body in or near the cancer (brachytherapy).

Chemotherapy

If your providers decide you’re a candidate for chemotherapy, you’ll get medications that kill cancer cells either through your veins, with an injection or IV, or by mouth with a pill. What kind of medication and the type of chemo you have will depend on the type of cancer and what stage it’s in.

Surgery

We use different kinds of surgery to treat cervical cancer. In early stages, we can often remove only the cancerous tissue (cone biopsy or trachelectomy). Sometimes, though, we might need to do one of the different hysterectomy surgeries, depending on how far the cancer has progressed. Your provider will go over all surgery options with you.

Preserving your fertility

Having cervical cancer means you’ll need to think about whether or not you want to have children in the future. We’ll take the time to talk about this with you at your first appointment and go over our unique programs and fertility preservation treatments. These can help you possibly get pregnant after cancer treatment.

Your provider can also tell you if ovarian transposition is an option. This procedure, done before cancer treatment starts, helps prevent premature menopause by minimizing damage to your ovaries from radiation therapy.

It’s important that you meet with your providers for regular check-ups after you’ve finished treatment for cervical cancer. We’ll want to see how your recovery is going and make sure no cancer has come back.

If you’re having any side effects from treatment, we may refer you to other specialists — like sexual health experts, pelvic floor physical therapists or mental health providers specializing in the care of people with cancer.

As part of your follow-up care, we’ll also work with you to make sure you’re doing what you can to prevent cervical cancer. The most important thing is scheduling regular exams and Pap smears with your providers. This schedule will be based on your age and the results of any previous screenings.

We may also screen you regularly for HPV infections and suggest you get the HPV vaccine, which protects against certain cancers caused by HPV infection. It’s recommended for all people ages 9 through 45 years old. In addition to preventing cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine also provides protection against cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus and throat.

Taking the Next Step

A cervical cancer diagnosis can instantly change your life — and leave you worried about your future. You might be wondering, “What’s next?” It’s important to know that you don’t have to face any of this alone. Cleveland Clinic healthcare providers are here to listen to you, answer your questions and guide you through a personalized treatment plan that keeps you and your future in mind. Every step of the way.