Questions to Ask About Cervical Cancer

This is the last page in the Understanding Cervical Cancer Guide. This guide was developed by the HealthTree Education Team and was last updated and reviewed on June 16, 2026. 

Before your appointments, it can help to write down questions you want to ask your care team. This way, you won't forget anything during your visit. Remember, there are no wrong questions. Your care team wants to make sure you understand your diagnosis and feel confident about your care.

Questions about your cervical cancer diagnosis

• What type of cervical cancer do I have? Is it squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, or another type?
• What stage is my cervical cancer? What does that mean for my treatment and prognosis?
• Has my cancer spread to lymph nodes or other organs?
• What biomarker tests have been done on my tumor? Am I PD-L1 positive? Is my tumor mismatch repair deficient?
• What HPV type is associated with my cancer?
• Should I get a second opinion? Will my care be managed by a gynecologic oncologist?

Questions to ask about cervical cancer treatment

• What are my treatment options? What do you recommend and why?
• What is the goal of treatment: to cure the cancer, control it, or relieve symptoms?
• Will my treatment involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination?
• Am I a candidate for immunotherapy such as pembrolizumab?
• What are the possible side effects of each treatment, and how can they be managed?
• How will treatment affect my daily life, including work?
• How long will treatment last?
• Are there clinical trials I should consider?

Questions about cervical cancer surgery

• What type of surgery do I need?
• Is minimally invasive surgery an option, or is open surgery recommended for my situation?
• Will my uterus be removed? Will my ovaries be removed?
• If my ovaries are removed, will I go through menopause? What options are available for managing menopausal symptoms?
• Is fertility-sparing surgery an option for me?
• Will lymph nodes be removed? What is the risk of lymphedema?
• Am I a candidate for sentinel lymph node mapping?
• How should I prepare for surgery?
• What will recovery look like, and how long will it take?
• What signs of complications should I watch for after surgery?

Questions about radiation and chemotherapy

• What type of radiation will I receive? Will I have external beam radiation, brachytherapy, or both?
• How long will radiation treatment last?
• What side effects should I expect during and after radiation treatment?
• How will my bowel, bladder, and vaginal health be affected by radiation?
• Will I receive chemotherapy at the same time as radiation?

Questions to ask about follow-up care

• How will we know if treatment is working?
• What follow-up tests will I need after treatment ends, and how often?
• What symptoms should prompt me to call your office right away?
• What is the risk that my cancer will come back? What would we do if it did?
• What are the long-term side effects I should watch for?
• How can I protect my vaginal health after radiation treatment?
• Should I see a specialist for sexual health after treatment?

Questions to ask about clinical trials

• Are there any clinical trials I might qualify for based on my molecular markers?
• What are the potential benefits and risks of the trial?
• Will my insurance cover the costs associated with participating in a trial?

Questions to ask about fertility and family planning

• Is fertility-sparing treatment a realistic option for me?
• Should I see a fertility specialist before starting treatment?
• What are my options for preserving fertility, such as egg freezing, before I begin treatment?

Questions to ask about coping and support

• Can you refer me to an oncology social worker or counselor?
• Are there support groups for cervical cancer patients or survivors?
• Can you refer me to a pelvic floor physical therapist or sexual health specialist?
• Are there resources to help with the financial costs of treatment?
• Are there palliative care or integrative medicine services available to me?
• How can my family members or caregivers get support?