Risk Factors
Your risk of developing vaginal cancer is higher if:
- You’re over 60: The most common type, squamous cell carcinoma, is usually diagnosed around age 60, though it can occur earlier.
- You have HPV: The human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, is a major risk factor. While most HPV infections clear on their own, some cause cell changes that can lead to cancer. The risk is higher if you have multiple sexual partners or haven’t been vaccinated.
- You have vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN): VaIN is a condition where abnormal cells develop in the vaginal lining. It isn’t cancer but can turn into cancer over time. HPV infection increases the risk of VaIN.
- You’ve had cervical cancer or cervical dysplasia: A history of cervical cancer or abnormal cervical cells raises your risk of VaIN or vaginal cancer.
- You were exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES): If your mother took DES, a synthetic estrogen, during pregnancy between 1940 and 1971, you have a higher chance of developing clear cell adenocarcinoma. However, this type of cancer is rare.
- You smoke: Smoking doubles your risk of vaginal cancer.
Learn more about vaginal cancer risk factors.
Prevention and Screening
There’s no guaranteed way to prevent vaginal cancer, but you can lower your risk by:
- Getting regular pelvic exams: These help monitor reproductive health. Your doctor may perform an HPV test and a Pap smear to detect early cell changes. If you’ve had a hysterectomy, Pap smears may not be necessary.
- Getting the HPV vaccine: This vaccine protects against high-risk HPV strains that cause vaginal, cervical, vulvar, anal, and other cancers. It works best if given before exposure to HPV.
- Practicing safe sex: Condoms reduce, but do not eliminate, the risk of HPV transmission.
- Quitting smoking: This lowers your risk of several cancers, including vaginal cancer. It also helps prevent recurrences of cancer and pre-cancers such as VaIN.
Learn more about the HPV vaccine.
Older women still need checkups. Learn more about pap tests for older women.
Symptoms
Vaginal cancer may not cause symptoms early on. It is often detected during a routine exam, which is why regular checkups are important.
When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding, especially after sex or after menopause.
- Watery, bloody, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
- Pain during intercourse.
- A noticeable lump in the vagina.
- Painful urination or frequent urges to urinate.
- Constipation or black stools.
- Feeling the urge to have a bowel movement when the bowels are empty.
- Pelvic pain.
While most of these symptoms are caused by less serious conditions, 8 in 10 people with invasive vaginal cancer experience at least one. If you notice any of these signs, especially postmenopausal bleeding, see your doctor right away.
