Cervical Cancer and Fertility: Information for Young Women and Their Parents

When I first met a 26-year-old patient, let's call her Kavita, she came in for what she thought was a routine check-up. What followed was unexpected: a diagnosis of early-stage cervical cancer. But what worried her more than the word "cancer" was another question she asked tearfully: "Will I still be able to have children?"

For many young women, a cervical cancer diagnosis not only raises concerns about health and survival but also deeply personal fears about fertility, family planning, and the future. 

Cervical cancer is a cancer that begins in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (womb) that connects to the vagina. It usually develops slowly over time and is most commonly caused by a long-term infection with high-risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a virus transmitted through sexual contact.

While it is more common in women aged 35-44, younger women, especially those in their 20s, can also be diagnosed, often during routine pelvic exams or Pap smears.

Whether or not cervical cancer affects fertility depends on several factors, including:

Here’s how fertility might be affected:

Pelvic radiation can damage the ovaries and uterus. It often causes infertility and early menopause, especially when combined with chemotherapy.

Some drugs used in cervical cancer treatment can harm the ovaries, reducing fertility or causing early menopause.

If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer and wish to have children in the future, talk to both your oncologist and a fertility specialist before starting treatment. Options may include:

Fertility is more than a physical function—it’s closely tied to identity, hope, and life goals. A cancer diagnosis at a young age is overwhelming, and the added fear of losing fertility can be devastating. Young women often experience:

This is why psychological support—through counseling, support groups, or talking openly with family, is essential.

For parents, this journey can be emotionally complex. Balancing your protective instincts with the patient’s independence is key. Here’s how you can help:

The best way to avoid the complications of cervical cancer, including infertility, is through prevention and early detection:

A cervical cancer diagnosis can feel like a detour from the life a young woman imagined—but it’s not the end of the road. With early diagnosis, evolving fertility-sparing treatments, and the right guidance, many women go on to live healthy, fulfilling lives—including becoming mothers.

To every young woman facing this diagnosis and every parent walking beside her: there is hope, there are choices, and you are not alone.