What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer With Fever?

More than 11,000 women will be diagnosed with--and 4,000 die from--cervical cancer in 2009, according to the American Cancer Society's most recent projections. There has been promising data related to the human papillomavirus vaccine, but for women who were not vaccinated as adolescents, understanding the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer, even if it's just a persistent fever, remains the most effective tool for early detection and diagnosis.

Abnormal Pap Smear

• The American Cancer Society advises women to undergo Pap screenings between adolescence up to age 70. Many women believe they should discontinue Pap screenings after menopause, but the danger of cervical cancer still exists so tests, though required less frequently if other indicators are not present, should continue well into late adulthood. An abnormal Pap result is the number one early warning sign of cervical cancer.

Vaginal Bleeding After Intercourse

• Very few, if any, symptoms present with early development of cervical cancer, but more advanced undetected cases may show up with a fever accompanied by vaginal bleeding. Bleeding usually occurs following intercourse, but it may happen unexpectedly between menstrual cycles.

Pelvic Pain After Intercourse

• Discharge is not the only sign of cervical cancer. Generalized pelvic pain can occur in women following intercourse; and if this symptom is unrelated to any other medical condition, particularly if it is accompanied by a fever, women should seek medical advice immediately.

Human Papillomavirus Infection

• While it is not a given that HPV infection will lead to cervical cancer, the presence of HPV is a warning sign of possible danger. Some gynecologists recommend an HPV DNA screening along with the Pap test for high risk groups, but many women who were not treated with the recently developed vaccine against HPV ask for the test regardless of risk. HPV causes cell changes in the cervix that can lead to precancerous and ultimately atypical squamous cells, an early indicator of cancer that requires further testing.