Risk Factors
A risk factor is a characteristic, behavior, or condition that raises the possibility of getting a disease. Here are some risk factors for developing vaginal cancer:
Age
Your chance of developing vaginal cancer increases with age. Most women with vaginal cancer are over 60.
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Personal History
Having a history of cervical cancer or precancerous lesions in the cervix may increase your risk for developing vaginal cancer.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Infection with HPV may increase the risk of developing vaginal cancer. Most people have been infected with HPV at some point in their lives, but the disease resolves on its own. In some women, the infection does not go away by itself and may lead to precancerous changes.
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Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VAIN)
VAIN is a condition caused by HPV that causes pre-cancerous lesions to form on the vagina. These precancerous lesions may mutate slowly and become squamous cell carcinoma over time.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Women whose mothers took diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the 1940s-1960s to prevent miscarriage may be at an increased risk for developing vaginal cancer. In these women, the cells in the vagina may mutate from squamous cells to glandular cells (vaginal adenosis), and increase the risk for developing clear cell adenocarcinoma.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Infection with HIV may increase a woman's risk for developing vaginal cancer.
Smoking
Women who smoke cigarettes are more likely to get vaginal cancer. Harmful substances in cigarettes get absorbed by the bloodstream and may contribute to development of VAIN and cancer.
