Page last updated: January 2026
The information on this webpage was adapted from Understanding Cervical Cancer - A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends (2025 edition). This webpage was last updated in January 2026.
Expert content reviewers:
This information was developed with the help of a range of health professionals and people affected by cervical cancer:
- Dr Antonia Jones, Gynaecological Oncologist, Royal Women’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, VIC
- Angelyn Aligarbes, Consumer
- A/Prof Emma Allanson, Gynaecological Oncologist and Head of Dept, Gynaecologic Oncology, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, WA
- Gemma Busuttil, Radiation Therapist Specialist, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW
- Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council VIC
- Danielle Carpenter, Gynaecology Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC
- A/Prof Pearly Khaw, Lead Radiation Oncologist – Gynae-Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC
- Georgina Richter, Gynae-Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA
- A/Prof Megan Smith, Research Fellow, Cancer Elimination Collaboration, University of Sydney, NSW
- Sophia Wooldridge, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Hunter New England Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, John Hunter Hospital, NSW
- Melissa Whalen, Consumer.
If your cervical screening results suggest that you have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer, you will usually have more tests.
Contact cancer support
Types of tests
Colposcopy
This looks closely at the cervix and vagina to see if there are any abnormal or changed cells. An instrument called a colposcope (a microscope with a light) is placed near your genital area but does not enter your body.
An instrument called a speculum will be inserted into the vagina to spread the walls apart so the vagina and cervix can be seen more clearly.
Cervical cancer tests
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and can be successfully treated if detected early.
The Cervical Screening Test is the best way to protect against cervical cancer.
Learn more
Biopsy
If your doctor sees abnormal or changed cells during a colposcopy, they will usually take a small tissue sample (biopsy) from the cervix.
The tissue sample will be sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope by a doctor called a pathologist. This can show if there are cancerous or precancerous cells.
Cone biopsy
This is done when a larger area of tissue needs to be removed or when early-stage cancer is suspected.
A cone biopsy is usually done as day surgery in hospital under general anaesthetic. A surgical knife (scalpel) is used to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix. As with a biopsy, the sample will be sent to a laboratory for testing.
“I had period-like pain for a few days after the cone biopsy but a hot water bottle and mild pain medicines helped a lot.” Julie
Examination under anaesthetic
To check whether the cancer has spread, the doctor may give you a general anaesthetic to examine your cervix, vagina, uterus, bladder and rectum. This is done in hospital and you can usually go home on the same day.
Staging cervical cancer
Staging describes the size of the cancer and how far it has spread. Knowing the stage helps doctors recommend the best treatment for you.
- Early or localised cancer (stage 1) – cancer is found only in the cervix.
- Locally advanced cancer (stage 2) – cancer has spread outside the cervix to the upper two-thirds of the vagina or other tissue next to the cervix.
- Locally advanced cancer (stage 3) – cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina and/or the tissue on the side of the pelvis (pelvic wall). The cancer may also have spread to lymph nodes in the pelvis or abdomen, or caused a kidney to stop working.
- Metastatic or advanced cancer (stage 4) – cancer has spread to the bladder or rectum (stage 4A) or beyond the pelvis to the lungs, liver or bones (stage 4B).