This scrapes off cells from the surface of the cervix, which are then smeared onto a microscope slide. It usually takes a week or two after the colposcopy for the results of the biopsies to come back and they will show whether the precancerous cells have turned into cancer cells. The radiation may be given using a special machine that directs radiation to the pelvic area or containers of radioactive material may be placed temporarily in the vagina. Chemotherapy medicines are very powerful and act against cells that are rapidly increasing in number, so can affect other rapidly multiplying cells and not just cancer cells. These other cells are skin and hair cells, blood and defence cells.
Nausea is another side effect, and is treated with an anti-nausea medicine.
Pre-cancer of the cervix and early stages of cancer of the cervix are curable by removing the cells.