A cervical cancer diagnosis can bring uncertainty, fear, and a lot of questions. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cervical cancer, know that there are options and resources to feel empowered to make the best treatment choices. Read on to learn about cervical cancer and how immunotherapy is changing not only treatment options for patients, but also preventing the development of cancer altogether.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is a disease where the cells in the cervix grow uncontrollably. The cervix is in the lower part of the uterus, connecting the vagina (birth canal) to the upper part of the uterus (womb), where a baby grows during pregnancy.
Cervical cancer is most common in women over 30, with most cases caused by long-lasting infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection transmitted via sexual contact that typically does not cause any side effects.
Understanding the scope of cervical cancer in the US and globally highlights why screening, prevention, and research matter.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a form of treatment that helps your immune system recognize and fight cancer. Our immune system is our greatest defense against foreign agents, including cancer, but some cancers can find ways to “hide” from the immune system or shut it down, evading attack. Immunotherapy works with the body to unmask and unleash the immune system against cancer, which may help eliminate existing cancer and, in some cases, reduce the chance of it coming back.
Immunotherapy in Cervical Cancer
Immunotherapy can be used in cervical cancer in a few different ways:
- Preventative vaccines – vaccination against HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer, to prevent it from developing at all
- Example: GardasilⓇ 9
- Example: GardasilⓇ 9
- Targeted antibodies – treatments that target cancer cell activity directly
- Example: AvastinⓇ, TivdakⓇ
- Example: AvastinⓇ, TivdakⓇ
- Immunomodulators – treatments that help the immune system better recognize and attack cancer
- Example: KeytrudaⓇ
It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider to determine if immunotherapy – whether preventative or as treatment – would benefit you or your loved ones.
How Ongoing Research is Providing Hope
Over the last decade, monumental strides have been made in cervical cancer care, giving more time to patients everywhere.
But the work is not done. Immunotherapy research is progressing in both the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer to reach even more patients and bring even more hope. Continued research in this field will help more patients have more options, ones that could give them back their lives. And for others, prevent the cancer from ever developing at all. This ongoing work is laying the foundation for another decade of strides made in the space so that even more patients can have more time.
Facing a Cervical Cancer Diagnosis
Whether it’s you or a loved one, a cervical cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Be your own best advocate, educate yourself on your cancer type, the treatment options available, and the research being done in the field. Ask questions, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. And importantly, seek support in your village – no one fights cancer alone.
For more information on cervical cancer and ongoing research, read our Cervical Cancer page.
To learn more about clinical trials and find one that may be suitable for you or your loved one, visit our Clinical Trials page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does immunotherapy differ from chemotherapy?
Unlike chemotherapy, which introduces drugs to attack cancer cells, immunotherapy is designed to work with the body to activate the immune system against cancer. Activating the immune system can help eliminate tumors and also ensure that they do not return.
Side effects from immunotherapy differ from those of chemotherapy and can vary from person to person. It is again important to speak with your healthcare team to understand the benefits and risks of any treatment route.
To learn more about the differences between immunotherapy and chemotherapy, click here.
Is immunotherapy right for everyone with cervical cancer?
Immunotherapy is the right option for some patients. Whether preventative or as treatment, it’s important to talk with your healthcare team to determine if it’s right for you or your loved ones. Ongoing research in immunotherapy aims to bring more options to more patients.
How do healthcare providers decide when immunotherapy might be right?
Your healthcare team will consider your specific cancer type, stage, prior therapies, and overall health to determine if immunotherapy is right for you. Not every patient will benefit from immunotherapy for their cancer, so it’s important to discuss with your provider what options are available to you.
What other questions should I ask my care team about immunotherapy?
There are several questions you may have for your care team about your treatment that can help you feel empowered and informed to make the right decisions.
What gives doctors and researchers hope about the future of cervical cancer treatment?
Ongoing research is focusing on even more effective preventative vaccines to stop cervical cancer from developing in the first place, as well as more effective immunotherapies for more patients.
The ongoing work is not only growing the list of treatment options for patients, but is grounded in patient voices that are shaping research. The future of cervical cancer treatment aims to give every patient more hope and more time.
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