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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffCertain factors may raise your risk of vaginal cancer, though women with no known risk factors can also develop vaginal cancer. Risk factors for vaginal cancer include:
- Age. Most women who are diagnosed with vaginal cancer are over 60 years old.
- Atypical cells in the vagina. Women with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) have an increased risk of vaginal cancer. In women with VAIN, cells in the vagina appear different from normal cells, but not different enough to be considered cancer. A small number of women with VAIN will eventually develop vaginal cancer, though doctors aren't sure what causes some cases to develop into cancer and others to remain benign.
- Exposure to miscarriage prevention drug. Women whose mothers took a drug called diethylstilbestrol (DES) while pregnant have an increased risk of a certain type of vaginal cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma. DES was used from the late 1940s until 1971 to prevent miscarriage in early pregnancy.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can increase the risk of vaginal cancer and other cancers. HPV causes the majority of cervical cancers and precancerous changes in the cervix. A vaccine (Gardasil) that prevents some types of HPV is available.
- Previous gynecologic cancer. Women who've been treated for a different gynecologic cancer, especially cervical cancer, may have an increased risk of vaginal cancer.
Other risk factors that have been linked to an increased risk of vaginal cancer include:
- Multiple sexual partners
- Early age at first intercourse
- Smoking
- HIV infection
References
- Detailed guide: Vaginal cancer. American Cancer Society. http://documents.cancer.org/5016.00/5016.00.pdf. Accessed Aug. 25, 2008.
- Elkas JC, et al. Vaginal cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 25, 2008.
- Holschneider CH, et al. Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 25, 2008.
- Benefits of good nutrition. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/content/MBC_6_2X_Benefits_of_nutrition_during_treatment.asp?sitearea=MBC. Accessed Aug. 24, 2008.
- FDA Approves Expanded Uses for Gardasil to Include Preventing Certain Vulvar and Vaginal Cancers. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01885.html. Accessed Oct. 15, 2008.
- USPPI Patient Information about GARDASIL. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. www.fda.gov/cber/label/gardasilppi.pdf. Accessed Oct. 15, 2008.
