Vaginal cancer is a rare cancer that starts in the vagina — the canal from the cervix (the opening of the uterus) to the outside of the body.
Who is more likely to get it
- people 60 or older;
- people who have had certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection;
- people exposed before birth to DES (diethylstilbestrol), a drug sometimes prescribed from 1940 to 1971 to prevent miscarriage and later linked to health problems including vaginal cancer;
- people who have had abnormal cells in the vagina, cervix or uterus.
Symptoms
Often there are no early symptoms. See your provider if you notice:
- vaginal bleeding that isn't your period;
- a lump in the vagina;
- pelvic pain;
- pain during sex or when urinating;
- constipation, or blood in your stool or urine.
Diagnosis
- a pelvic exam, perhaps with a Pap test and/or HPV test;
- colposcopy, to examine the cervix, vagina and vulva;
- a biopsy, removing cells to check for cancer.
Treatment
Found early, vaginal cancer can often be cured. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.
Prevention
HPV vaccines may lower the risk. They protect best before exposure to HPV — so it's best to be vaccinated before becoming sexually active.
Sources
Based on "Vaginal Cancer," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the NIH National Cancer Institute; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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