Online Community

Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

constant low grade fever

Suewithoutaclue

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 4 weeks ago which has spread to my lymph nodes and am awaiting my treatment plan. For a few weeks I have been feeling generally run down/tired etc but have also being experiencing a constant fever. It averages about 38 degrees but will sometimes be closer to 39 when I'm feeling more unwell. I keep taking paracetamol to keep it lower but I seem to be given different advice about what is causing it. One consultant thought it was definitely connected to my diagnosis but another one seemed to doubt this. I would love to have more information and advice about this 

  • Hi Suewithoutaclue,

    My name is Lorna and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Support Line. Thank you for your question and welcome back to the online community.

    I’m sorry to hear that you have been experiencing a low-grade fever following your breast cancer diagnosis.

    It can be a very anxious time trying to understand all the symptoms you have been experiencing and their cause. It's not really understood why certain cancers cause fevers and others don't. In some cases a cancer may produce toxins that can cause a fever.


    Treatment for this will depend on what is causing it. It's important that your doctor rules out any infection. Sometimes however, it’s not always possible to find out what exactly is causing the fever, and this may be why you have had different opinions.

     Having a fever can make you feel unwell, run down, hot and shivery. It can be managed with some treatments that will make you feel better and bring your temperature down.

     It’s common for people living with cancer to experience fatigue. It’s a feeling of being tired most, or all, of the time and can be caused by cancer or cancer treatment.

     It helps sometimes to talk to others and get advice about what worked for them and their experiences.

     I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

     The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

    Best wishes,

    Lorna

    Ref: LB/KG

     



     


    Lorna-Macmillan (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)
Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2023 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ. VAT no: 668265007