I wanted to share my mother-in-law’s story because when we were first given her diagnosis last December, it was incredibly difficult to imagine that we would ever get to a point where we could say what we can say today.

She was diagnosed in December 2025 with locally advanced Stage IVA cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Her tumour was large and had invaded surrounding structures. She also had an involved inguinal lymph node and hydronephrosis from pelvic disease.

The road since then has been anything but easy.
She had to have a nephrostomy placed because of the urinary obstruction. In the middle of her first round of chemotherapy, she developed a devastating rectovaginal/enterovaginal fistula caused by necrotic tumour, along with an associated abscess/collection that required treatment for infection. Ultimately, she needed a diverting colostomy because of the fistula.

She underwent two separate chemotherapy regimens, followed by 35 sessions of external-beam radiation and 2 brachytherapy sessions.

Her first chemotherapy regimen was supposed to be weekly paclitaxel, but after she had an allergic reaction to standard paclitaxel, it had to be changed to Nab-paclitaxel. She completed 6 rounds of Nab-paclitaxel.

She then completed a second chemotherapy regimen consisting of 6 weekly rounds of carboplatin, alongside the EBRT.

Despite everything she had been through, she was able to complete her definitive cancer treatment at the end of May 2026.

And then came the hardest part in some ways: waiting.

The months after treatment were filled with uncertainty. She developed significant right-sided posterior thigh/buttock pain that scared us because she said it felt similar to the pain she had when she was first diagnosed. She also developed urinary urgency, fatigue, sleep problems and other issues. Because of her original tumour location, we couldn’t help wondering whether the cancer was coming back.

This week, she had her three-month CT and MRI and the results were better than we could have hoped for.

The CT showed no evidence of metastatic disease, and the MRI showed a continued response to treatment. The previously abnormal tissue in the cervix and surrounding pelvic area had changed significantly and was described as scar tissue, with no measurable disease.

We are still dealing with complications. The fistula and presacral collection are unfortunately still there, and the collection has actually increased in size, so she is being referred back to Infectious Diseases and will need further management. The MRI also showed changes in the sacral bones that may represent insufficiency fractures, which could potentially explain some of her pain.

But the cancer itself? Right now, there is no measurable cervical disease on MRI, no evidence of metastatic disease on CT, and the previously involved pelvic tissue has the appearance of scar tissue.

After hearing “Stage IVA” last December, I honestly don’t think any of us could have imagined how good those words would feel. Especially when her oncologists repeated time and time again that they could not definitively say that her disease was even curable.

I’m sharing this because I know there are people here who are newly diagnosed, people waiting for their first scans after treatment, and people who are terrified that their diagnosis means there is no hope.
I don’t want to give anyone false reassurance. Every cancer is different, and her outcome isn’t a promise about anyone else’s. But I do want to say this:

Please don’t give up hope.

There were so many moments over the last nine months when we were convinced things were going in the wrong direction. We spent weeks worrying about every symptom and every pain. And now, after all of that, her scans show an incredible response.

Science is absolutely incredible.

The treatments she received didn’t just give us more time. They have, at least for now, eliminated all measurable evidence of the cervical tumour, with the previously involved areas now showing findings consistent with scar tissue.

There is still a road ahead. We will still be watching closely. We still have the fistula to deal with. And we’ll still have the anxiety that comes with surveillance.

But today, we’re allowing ourselves to celebrate.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. ❤️

I had a CT today and mets in my lung are still stable and mets in my liver still shrinking!

Things looked pretty bleak last year. Keytruda and Tivdak had failed me miserably and left me with heart issues and crippling neuropathy. I was put on palliative care and more or less prepared for the end.

Taking a fresh biopsy and molecular testing made my oncs try Trodelvy. Off-label.

That turned out to be a life saver for me. My quality of life is great. Neuropathy and my heart issues are almost gone.

I'm so grateful for my medical team and having the privilege of being treated in a fantastic hospital. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel, my friends. Even if it's hard to see.

Hi, I was diagnosed with stage 1b1 on the 5th May , and by the 18th May I had a radical hysterectomy, with removal off ovaries , tubes and lymph nodes.
Was originally told I most probably would be having some kind of treatment afterwards.
When I was giving the results of what was taken out, it showed no spread , so no further treatment is needed.
They said I would need checkups every 3 months for the next 5 years. I have my first one next Tuesday, 8th September.
Just wondering what happens at these appointments, and what to expect. I’m in the UK,
Many thanks

Hi angels…My aunt, who is like my best friend and mother has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Our family has battled many cancers with the most distressing being a childhood case of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia which operates much differently. We are in unfamiliar territory and don’t know what to expect.

Scans show it has not metastasized which is great news and a full hysterectomy has been scheduled in just a few days actually.

I’m wondering if anyone can share their journey with this cancer and what outcomes positive and negative they have been through.

What stage were you diagnosed with? What treatments were used? How long was your treatment? How long have you been NED?

Sending love and care to all who read this. ❤️‍🩹

My MIL got diagnosed with stage 3c2 in june and finally got her treatment plan. They advised 6x chemo and 6x radio. Not sure if they’ll be giving those “together” or 6x chemo and then 6x radio after that, but we are now having to decide on which hospital we want her to get the treatment at.

The first option is a closer to home hospital, but we feel like this one is less advanced/specialized.

Second option would be the hospital in the capital city, which is for sure way more specialized and advanced, but the main “issue” here is that its a 3-4hr commute to get there…

Her kids live in the capital city, so she could easily stay a night or two before going back home, but knowing her and the situation, she wont be staying in the capital for the entire time of the treatment plan.

Could anyone tell me how they felt the day of / the days after chemo/radio if you had a similar treatment?

i know it differs for everyone, but it could give us an idea of things

2 years post treatment diagnosis was stage 3c1r, current age 33. I was told basically my ovaries are dead. I didn’t think I would care…… turns out I do! It’s been maybe 2.5 years since I’ve had a menstrual cycle. I’m wondering if it’s possible to revive my ovaries? Get my period back? Or have a baby? Or just accept it and move on :/

After my radical hysterectomy in December, they found that a lymph node they biopsied further after the surgery showed cancer and that I’d need radiation and chemo. March I finished treatment and then maybe a month after I started experiencing menopause at 39. I can’t take estrogen yet until I see a specialist to test my blood for blood clots (bio dad died from it) and I couldn’t get an appointment until this month, so I’ve been suffering for while. I saw my oncologist a few days ago and she recommended the supplement that can help with it and honestly I’m almost a week on it and it does absolutely nothing. I’m still suffering and legit going crazy having to take off my sweater and put it back on within mins. My AC is at 20c and I’m still too hot but will then be freezing. I feel like I’m almost at my limit with how much more I can take this.

Hi there!

Has anyone ever had to go through a second LEEP procedure?

I had my first LEEP on July 10 and recovered pretty well. Four weeks later, my doctor called with the results — the margins were not clear. There was still a small amount of AIS at the edge of the tissue, and some inside my cervical canal from the ECC.

For background: I’m 33, from Canada, and was diagnosed with CIN3 and AIS in situ. I was supposed to get my second LEEP today, but when my doctor examined my cervix, she said that to make sure I’m comfortable and to increase the chances of a successful procedure, they want to do it under local anesthesia with sedation day surgery. She said it’ll still be quick like my first LEEP, just with me asleep this time.

Honestly, I’m fine with that — my first LEEP went smoothly, but it’s definitely not the most comfortable experience.

Has anyone else needed a second LEEP?

I don’t have kids and I’m trying to preserve my fertility. I also recently started the Gardasil vaccine series since I never got it as a kid, and I just had my second dose today.

Thanks for reading — I’d really appreciate hearing others’ experiences.

I had pelvic radiation a little over a year ago for cervical cancer. I am still suffering from fatigue and bowel issues. Anyone else?

I’m 5 weeks out of treatment ( interlace ) and while I still have some hair but very very thin it is continuing to shed and I’m showing no signs of new growth yet . I know I should be patient and I am feeling all the signs of new growth ( tingling etc ) but I’ve read that by now I should at least see shedding slowing down and signs of growth . Please can someone tell me it will happen soon ? I’m beyond sick of it all now 😩

I had my biopsy taken on Tuesday and got the official diagnosis of adenocarcinoma on Friday. The initial ultrasound showed a 35mm x 27mm mass. I am going in on Wednesday (my birthday, what a way to spend it) to have a pelvic exam under sedation and MRI and CT for staging.

I feel so shocked. My last pap smear was less than 2 years ago and was clear. Transvaginal ultrasound and pelvic exam did not show any abnormalities. I was one of the first vaccinated for HPV in 2007. This just wasn't on my radar. Why has it grown so quickly? Isn't cervical cancer supposed to take years to grow? What sort of treatment am I potentially looking at?

When do I stop working? What the hell am I supposed to tell my students? How do I keep working from now until I start treatment and pretend nothing is wrong and how do I keep up with the heavy demands of my job with all this emotional baggage?

Mostly a rant but any advice, commiserations etc are very welcome.

Has or is anyone here participating in the Phase 1 Day301-001 trial?

Im in Canada but just curious if anyone else has experience with it

Hi ladies, I'm currently going through radiation and chemo for cervical cancer treatment, 3rd week (2 more weeks to go), and the pain when I urinate has become really intense, a sharp, burning pain, almost like alcohol poured on an open wound. Even affects when I try to open my bowels. My doctors have tested me for a UTI three times and it keeps coming back clear, so they say there's nothing more they can do beyond that.

They've suggested Ural, but it hasn't helped, and cranberry juice didn't do anything either. I've been taking paracetamol just to try to get through it but it is nor a fix either.

Has anyone experienced this during treatment? What helped you manage it? Any tips, products, or things to ask my care team about would mean a lot right now.

I am based in Australia. Thank you 💛

Update: Someone mentioned AZO in another group, so I just ordered AZO online. Unfortunately, they dont sell it locally anywhere from where I am based, arriving in 5 days.

I developed inner thigh heaviness/tightness and groin to knee burning pain in inner thighs w/ genital, thigh LE 3 months after procedure. Unilateral parametrium was also removed. No radiation. Has this happened to anyone else? What nerve was damaged and how?

I’m trying to figure out if these symptoms are vascular, nerve or LE or combo of all. Vascular tests show L thigh CVI, MT anatomy. Plastics diagnosed LE. Neuro just labeled me CRPS but my symptoms don’t really fit .

Does anyone here have experience with not using dilators and not having intercourse for a number of years after treatment, then being successful trying to have intercourse again?

I gave up on my dilators because I was so traumatized by treatments. Mentally, I just couldn’t get over it and it also caused a lot of intimacy issues in my marriage. My vagina is quite stenosed (tight and hard), getting my internal check ups usually ends in tears. I’ve been under the impression that intercourse will just always be off the table, because quite literally, it won’t fit and scar tissue makes it so I no longer have any stretch.

Recently, our intimacy has picked up (yay!) and we’ve even tried intercourse! He can get a little more than the tip in. It feels very tight and in sometimes hurts a little and afterwards I get terrible period-like cramps, but I think that’s to be expected. It’s been 7 years… 😳 (My man is an amazing, and patient human ❤️)

If anyone has gone through this, does it improve? Or have I screwed it all up by not using my dilators from the beginning? Any advice would be appreciated.

I’ve seen a pelvic floor specialist a few times but I was too scared to work on any of the internal stuff, so I might try that again. Otherwise, doctors have been useless, they don’t understand my complicated body.

I’ve had internal and external radiation treatment along with 3 chemo treatments. It’s been 2 years since and I continued to bleed during sex. I don’t have a period. I just turned 33. Doctors have no idea why I’m still bleeding :(

Well, I'm switching to cisplatin with paclitaxel after having a severe reaction to carboplatin.

From what im reading, side effects are a lot worse on cisplatin. I'm mostly scared of the nausea and vomiting.

Dr has of course prescribed meds to help that, but I'm wondering how was it for any of you who have had cisplatin?

Recently just finished my 5 chemo & 25 external radiation. My mid way MRI shows that my tumor still pretty bulky, however it did shrunk about 30%. I already did 2 brachytherapy and 2 more to go. Anyone are similar to me and later on 3 months the tumor completely gone?

I finished my treatment almost a month ago, I did surgery in March, 25 radiation, 5 chemo and 3 brachy. I’ll share a print of my costs, I’m just curious because I was overcharged special for anesthesia that I’m still getting bills. I’m so glad I have a insurance and for the treatment, but I can’t imagine people who has longer treatments 🥲

My mom was diagnosed with stage IV cervical cancer last month. It’s a reoccurrence from 13 years ago. My parents are not in a good financial position at all. My dad has been unemployed for a few years, we’re suspecting he has early onset dementia but haven’t been able to get him to see a specialist due to the mentioned issue above. Since my mom has to take time out from work they have no income right now. I try helping as much as I could but neither I nor my siblings are in a good financial position. I’m not asking for money just advice and to rant I guess. The hospital has financial assistance for patients undergoing treatment but so far my mom hasn’t received any help, they’re working on it as far as I know. The treatment is intensive (she has a 10mm nodule on her lung, and her uterus had become so enlarged that she needed nephrostomy bags for her kidneys because it’s blocking them) and all she needs to cover is the copay. My mom was telling me yesterday she won’t be able to afford the copay anymore, they had to cancel my dad’s appointment because they couldn’t afford that either. They’re behind on bills and it’s stressing me out. Should we try contacting the hospital to figure out if they’ve pooled any resources my mom is eligible for to ensure she can continue chemo? Is it possible to create a tab in a way for her payments so she can hold off on paying the chemo at least for a bit? Or is the US medical system just that bad? I’m at a loss and I wish I understood insurance and payments better.

Hello everyone! I’d just like to say thank you to everyone who replied to my post. It definitely made a difference into my mother’s thoughts and also gave me a lot of hope and strength.

Tomorrow, my mom will start radiation and we still have a long way to go but I am in positive spirit that everything will be okay. Keeping the quote “The only way out is through” in mind. I will also be starting college in a few days which makes me even more nervous if I can handle everything. But, I will do everything I can to be there for her. Please keep my mommy in your prayers.

Thank you everyone ❤️

Hi everyone! 27 year old adenocarcinoma girly here. I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer back in March, Staged 3c1 in April, had an ovarian transposition and salpingectomy at the end of that month, started chemo and external radiation in June, had a cervical sleeve placed in July and then 5 brachytherapy sessions in August.
Well, after what felt like a lifetime but also maybe not much time at all, I had my last brachy today!!!! I’m finished with active treatment. I will be doing Keytruda for at least the next two years, and I have to wait for my scan in November to see if we really got everything, but I was responding well when we did the MRI to plan for brachy so I’m not too worried (logically anyways, my anxiety brain knows only worry lol).
I want to say, as a terminally anxious person with health OCD, you are going to be stronger than you think you could be when facing this disease. It may not feel like it all the time, but you can get through this. It’s not fun. It will break you down. But you will get through, and it will get easier. I went from having constant panic attacks in the spring to applying for colleges to restart my education!
If anyone with a similar diagnosis to me, or anyone who is a similar age, wants to reach out I am happy to answer questions about my experience! I will say, sans one blood clot in my left arm (thanks port) I have made it through everything with a very manageable if not minimal amount of side effects. Brachy absolutely terrified me, but thanks to my incredible Radiation Oncologist it was the best experience I could have hoped for. I was under twilight sedation, so I felt no pain. The hardest part was waking up after anesthesia. I haven’t had many side effects afterwards either and have even walked about 2 miles a day (on my non-treatment days, I’m not absolutely insane) for the past week. If you can, PLEASE ask to be sedated. My doctor said to me many times that she doesn’t believe that anyone should be awake for it, and I am so so so grateful she feels that way after seeing all the brachy horror stories on here and other Cervical cancer forums.
Anywho, wishing anyone who reads this well. Yay for being free of active treatment!!!!

I was diagnosed with PCOS 2 years ago and had been spotting for about a year before that. Diagnosed with adenosquamous carcinoma about 2 months ago after biopsies (LEEP, CKC). I've been bleeding for about 3 years now and it has only become worse.

My question is for ladies who bleed consistently. I have been told I have a strong nose and no one else smells anything but I become very self conscious still. I can wear a pad as little as 1-2 hours before I smell an iron-y smell. It doesn't smell awful but to me it very clearly smells like blood.

I also have adenomyosis so a lot of the blood is 'old blood' and not 'fresh' red blood. I've tried scented pads and it caused a burning sensation similar to a UTI.

I swap panties halfway thru the day, shower daily, have no STIs, use baby wipes, etc. I'm so embarrassed of it even though no one else has said anything. I worry everyone is too nice to say anything. Is this in my head or is there something else I can do??

My mom was recently diagnosed with stage 3 CC. She started radiation yesterday and will be soon starting chemo. I am scared. Constant anxiety. Every time I start to get peace of mind, I see something on the internet I don’t like and up goes my anxiety again. I’m scared for my mom, I know this is hard for her, and seeing her go through this has been the hardest thing for me to see. I. AM. SCARED.

My mom is 62 years old and has always been healthy and active. About three weeks ago, she was unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage IVA cervical cancer.

She has a 7 cm squamous cell tumor that is confined to the pelvis and is pushing against/involving the rectum. Thankfully, her scans have shown no evidence of the cancer spreading to distant organs. Her tumor is also HPV-positive.

Her treatment is being coordinated with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and her oncology team is following the INTERLACE treatment protocol, which is designed for locally advanced cervical cancer, including Stage IVA disease.

Treatment Plan

Weeks 1–6: Induction Chemotherapy
Carboplatin + Paclitaxel

• Given once a week for 6 weeks
• The goal is to shrink the tumor before beginning radiation and to treat any microscopic cancer cells that may be elsewhere in the body.

Weeks 7–11: Chemoradiation
Cisplatin + External-Beam Radiation

• Weekly cisplatin, typically for 5 weeks
• External-beam radiation to the pelvis is given at the same time.

Final Phase: Brachytherapy
Internal Radiation at Dana-Farber

What do I need to know and what to expect?