Vaginal Cancer Causes

What Causes Vaginal Cancer?

Unfortunately, at this time, researchers don't know exactly what causes vaginal cancer. They have, however, identified several risk factors for vaginal cancer. A risk factor is an activity or condition that is associated with another illness.

Risk factors for vaginal cancer include:

• Being 30 or younger, or 60 and over
  
• Being infected with the HPV virus
  
• The use of a vaginal pessary to keep the uterus from falling into the vagina.
  
• Exposure to synthetic hormone DES while in the mother's womb

Keep in mind that if you have a risk factor for vaginal cancer, it does not mean you will absolutely develop vaginal cancer. It means you have an increased risk of developing it.