BACKGROUND The present study aimed to determine serum markers for cervical cancer (CC) and to provide valuable references for clinical diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum samples were collected from age-matched healthy control women, and from female CC patients before and after surgery. Serum biomarkers were selected by comparing serum peptides profiles among the 3 groups by magnetic bead-based weak cation - exchange chromatography fractionation combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Probable serum biomarkers for cervical cancer were then further identified by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry system and the identified proteins were verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Three peptide biomarkers were identified for distinguishing CC patients from normal individuals, and distinguishing preoperative CC patients from postoperative CC patients. Of these 3 identified protein peptide regions, 2 peptide regions - TKT (Peak 2, 2435.63 m/z, 499-524) and FGA (Peak 4, 2761.79 m/z, 603-629) - were identified as upregulated markers, and peptide region of APOA1 (Peak 9, 2575.3 m/z, 245-260) was identified as a downregulated biomarker in preoperative CC patients compared with healthy women. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides a new method for identifying potential serum biomarkers for CC patients.