Follow up after cervical cancer treatment

After treatment for cervical cancer, you have regular checkups at the hospital. You also have tests, including blood tests, x-rays and scans. Over time, these appointments become less frequent.

Why you have follow up appointments

You usually have follow up appointments to check how you are and see whether you have any problems or worries. The appointments also give you the chance to raise any concerns you have about your progress.

How often are my check ups?

Your first follow up appointment will be within 6 weeks of completing treatment.

Your checkups will continue for some years after your treatment. How often you see your specialist depends on:

• the hospital's follow up policy
• the type of treatment you have had
• your circumstances

You might have follow up every:

• 3 to 6 months for the first 2 years
• 6 to 12 months for the following 3 to 5 years

In some hospitals, women with early cancers may now only have a few follow up appointments. In this case, you are given plenty of information about what to look out for and who to contact if you have any concerns.

You might go for checkups at the surgical outpatients after surgery. Or you go to the cancer clinic if you’ve had chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Your gynaecological oncologist and cancer specialist (oncologist) might share your follow up. This means you see your gynaecological oncologist sometimes and your oncologist at other times.

Some hospitals arrange for specialist nurses to follow up patients with phone calls. This saves you from having to go to the hospital unnecessarily.

What happens during the appointment?

Your doctor or nurse examines you at each appointment. They might do an examination of your cervix and back passage (pelvic-rectal examination). They ask how you are feeling, whether you have had any symptoms or side effects, and if you are worried about anything.

You might also have tests at some visits.

Tests may include:

• taking a sample of cells from the cervix using a small brush
• colposcopy
• blood tests
• x-rays
• PET-CT scans or MRI scans

Once treatment finishes, you have a sample of cells taken from the cervix. After a radical trachelectomy, you have a sample of cells taken from the area around the lower part of the womb (isthmus) and the top of the vagina.

You may also have a colposcopy so your doctor can have a close look at the top of your vagina. You generally have these tests once a year.

If you've had your womb removed and have unusual symptoms, your doctor may suggest taking a sample of cells from the top of the vagina. This is called a vaginal vault test. If you've had your womb removed, you no longer need regular cervical screening. 

Cervical cells can be very difficult to interpret after radiotherapy. So you won't continue to have regular tests as part of the UK cervical screening programme. But your doctor will still want to look at the cervix using a speculum during your appointments. This is to ensure there are no problems.

Between appointments

Contact your doctor or specialist nurse if you have any concerns between appointments. You should also contact them if you notice any new symptoms. You don’t have to wait until your next visit.

Many people find their check ups quite worrying. A hospital appointment can bring back any anxiety you had about your cancer.

It can help to tell someone close to you how you’re feeling. Sharing your worries can mean they don’t seem so overwhelming. Many people find it helpful to have counselling during or after cancer treatment.

You can also find people to share experiences with by using our online forum, CancerChat.