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Cervical Cancer

A headshot of a middle-aged Pasifika woman, smiling softly at the camera.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cervical cancer, you may be trying to learn as much as possible about the disease and its treatments. Read on to find out more.

The information on this website should be discussed with your healthcare professional and does not replace their advice.

What is cervical cancer?

The cervix is part of the female reproductive system. It connects a woman’s womb (uterus) to their vagina. One of its functions is to hold a developing baby in the womb during pregnancy. It then widens to allow birth through the vagina.

Cervical cancer starts in the lining of the cervix. There are two main types of cervical cancer. The most common type is called squamous cell carcinoma, and the less common type is called adenocarcinoma.

Treatment with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)

Your doctor will plan your treatment according to your individual circumstances. These include your stage of cancer, age, general health and if you would like children in the future.

KEYTRUDA is an immunotherapy that may be used to treat cervical cancer in combination with other cancer treatments if:

  • Your cancer tests positive for a type of protein known as PD-L1; and
  • Your cancer does not go away (persistent), has returned or has spread (metastatic).

Talk to your doctor to see if KEYTRUDA may be right for you.

KEYTRUDA is not funded in New Zealand for the treatment of patients with cervical cancer.

Glossary

Expand for more information on terms and definitions related to cervical cancer.


Terms you may find useful:

Oncologist
A doctor who specialises in treating cancer with drug therapies – for example, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Prognosis
The expected outcome of your cancer. Your doctor is the best person to ask about your prognosis, but it is not possible for anyone to predict the exact course of cancer.

PD-L1
A protein that may protect cancer cells from being detected by the immune system.

Tumour
A new or abnormal growth. Tumours can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Uterus
The part of a woman’s body where a baby grows. It is also called the womb.

References:

Cancer Council Australia. 2023. Understanding cervical cancer. A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends. 
Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-cervical-cancer-booklet
Accessed on 12/03/2025

KEYTRUDA Data Sheet

Cancer Council Australia. 2021. Understanding Immunotherapy. A guide for people affected by cancer.
Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-immunotherapy-fact-sheet
Accessed on 02/06/2022

KEYTRUDA Consumer Medicine Information

NZ-KEY-00876v4. TAPS DA 2419KN TAPS NP20132. Last updated March 2025.