Causes and risk factors of vaginal cancer
What are risk factors?
Certain things called risk factors may increase the risk of developing vaginal cancer. Having a risk factor does not mean you will get cancer. And not having a risk factor does not mean that you will not get it.
Like other cancers, vaginal cancer is not infectious. You cannot catch it or pass it on to other people.
What are the causes of vaginal cancer
Age
Vaginal cancer is more common over the age of 60.
HPV (human papilloma virus)
A weakened immune system
Your immune system helps protect your body from infection and illness. If the immune system is not working well, it is less likely to get rid of infections like HPV.
Vaginal intra-epithelial neoplasia (VAIN)
VAIN is the name for pre-cancerous changes in cells lining the vagina. It can develop if HPV remains in the vagina for a long time.
If VAIN is not treated, there is a chance it may eventually develop into vaginal cancer in some people.
Cancer or pre-cancerous changes in the cervix
People who have had cervical cancer or pre-cancerous changes in the cervix (CIN) have an increased risk of developing vaginal cancer. This is likely to be related to HPV, which is the main cause of cervical cancer and CIN. This risk may be higher in people who smoke. But most people who have had cervical cancer or CIN will never develop vaginal cancer.
Radiotherapy to the pelvis
People who have had radiotherapy to the pelvis may have a very slightly increased risk of vaginal cancer.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
This is a risk factor for a very rare type of vaginal cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA). Your risk is increased if your mother was prescribed the drug DES when she was pregnant with you. DES has not been used for a long time. Doctors prescribed it to some pregnant women between 1940 and 1970. The risk is not very high, but you should have yearly check-ups to look for early signs of CCA.
About our information
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our vaginal cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk
Adams T, Cuello M. Cancer of the Vagina: FIGO cancer report 2018. International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. p14-21.
Royal College of Radiotherapy: Clinical Oncology. Radiotherapy dose fractionation, third edition. 2019.
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Reviewers
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Senior Medical Editor, Professor Nick Reed, Consultant Clinical Oncologist.
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