Vaginal Cancer Risk: What Raises It and How to Protect Yourself

Name: Advanced Cancer Treatment Centers (ACTC)
Address: 15211 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL, 34613, US
Telephone: 352-345-4565

April 22, 2026

Vaginal cancer is rare, but if you are reading this, you probably want to know whether you are at risk and what you can do about it. Those are fair questions, and you deserve straightforward answers.

At ACTC in Brooksville, our oncology team treats vaginal cancer and other gynecologic cancers, and we want to help you understand your risk clearly.

What is Vaginal Cancer?

Vaginal cancer develops when abnormal cells grow in the tissues of the vaginal canal. The American Cancer Society classifies it as a rare form of cancer, most common in women over 60, though it can occur at any age.

The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma, which accounts for roughly 9 out of 10 cases. It begins in the flat cells lining the inside of the vagina, usually near the cervix.

Less common types include:

Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that starts in gland cells
Melanoma: Cancer of pigment-producing cells, which accounts for fewer than 3 in 100 cases
Sarcoma: Cancer that forms deep within the vaginal wall rather than on its surface

About 85% of cancers found in the vaginal area have actually spread there from somewhere else in the body, often the cervix or uterus. When cancer originates in the vagina itself, it is considered primary vaginal cancer.

What Raises Your Risk of Vaginal Cancer?

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing vaginal cancer. Not all of them are within your control, but knowing what they are helps you and your doctor make informed screening decisions.

HPV infection: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the major causes of vaginal cancer. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection, and most people who contract it never develop cancer. But certain high-risk strains of HPV can cause cell changes that, over the years, may become cancerous.

Age: Vaginal cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women over 60. Risk increases with age, which makes attention to symptoms and routine gynecologic care important as you get older.

Previous cervical cancer or precancerous conditions: Women who have had cervical cancer or cervical precancer (abnormal cells on the cervix) face a higher risk of vaginal cancer, likely because these conditions share HPV as a common driver.

DES exposure: Women whose mothers took diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen prescribed during pregnancy from the 1940s through the early 1970s, have a higher risk of a specific subtype called clear cell adenocarcinoma.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Vaginal Cancer

You cannot eliminate every risk factor, but there are practical steps you can take to lower your risk.

1. Get Vaccinated Against HPV

The HPV vaccine is most effective when given before exposure to the virus, typically recommended for preteens and young adults.

If you have children or grandchildren who have not been vaccinated, talk to their pediatrician. For adults who missed the vaccine window, ask your doctor whether vaccination still makes sense for your situation.

2. Have Regular Pap Tests and Pelvic Exams

Routine gynecologic care can help detect abnormal changes. A Pap test collects cells from the cervix for examination under a microscope, and a pelvic exam allows your doctor to check for unusual changes in the vagina and reproductive organs.

There is no standard screening test for vaginal cancer, though it may sometimes be found during Pap testing or pelvic evaluation. These exams are especially important if you have a history of HPV or cervical precancer.

3. Practice Safer Sex

Because HPV is the primary driver of most vaginal cancers, reducing your exposure to the virus lowers your risk. Using condoms does not eliminate HPV transmission entirely, but it does reduce it.

4. Talk to Your Doctor About Individual Risk

If you have any of the factors listed above, it’s best to bring them up with your physician. You should also schedule a consultation if you notice symptoms like:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding (especially after menopause)
Unusual discharge
Pelvic pain
Painful urination
Pain during intercourse

Early detection changes outcomes.

How ACTC Treats Vaginal Cancer

When vaginal cancer is diagnosed, treatment depends on the type of cancer, how far it has progressed, and your overall health. At ACTC, our medical oncology and radiation oncology teams develop a treatment plan together at our single Brooksville facility, so your care stays coordinated from the start.

Radiation therapy is one of the primary treatments for vaginal cancer. It can be delivered in two ways:

Externally: We use a machine that directs high-energy beams at the cancer from outside the body

Internally: This is achieved by a technique that places radioactive material near the tumor.

At ACTC, our Varian VitalBeam system delivers external radiation with precision designed to target cancer cells while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Radiation can also be used as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms in advanced cases.

Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop cancer cells from growing. For vaginal cancer, chemotherapy is typically given intravenously in our on-site infusion suite. In some stage 0 or pre-cancer cases, medication may be applied directly to the vaginal area (intravaginal chemotherapy), but this is not used for invasive vaginal cancer.

Surgery may involve removing part or all of the vaginal wall (vaginectomy) or, in some cases, a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix). Your oncologist will recommend the approach that fits your diagnosis.

Getting Answers and Support

If you have concerns about your vaginal cancer risk or if you are experiencing symptoms that worry you, our team at ACTC can help you figure out the right next step.

We offer same-day consultations when the situation calls for it, and our nurse navigators coordinate referrals, imaging, and follow-up so you are not left sorting it out alone.

For families in Hernando County, Spring Hill, and surrounding communities, our Brooksville location means you do not have to travel to Tampa for expert oncology care.

Schedule a consultation with our team, or call us at 352-345-4565.