Vaginal Cancer Prevention Methods - OmniMedicalSearch.com

Conditions & Diseases: Cancers

Vaginal Cancer

Prevention Methods

Unfortunately, vaginal cancer cannot be completely prevented. However, there are several approaches that might help reduce the risk of developing vaginal cancer.

Avoid the risk factors

It is proven that infection with Human papillomavirus (HPV) can increase the risk for vaginal cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of sexually transmitted viruses. The risk for getting infected with these viruses can be controlled and reduced by conducting several types of responsible sexual behaviors:

Delay sexual intercourse and an active sexual life, especially if you are an young girl. HPV is more common among young women than in women over the age of 30.
Limit the number of sexual partners.
Avoid sexual contact with partners that are themselves engaged in sexual activities with multiple partners.
Do not trust condoms to protect you from HPV. Recent studies have proven that condoms do not protect against HPV infection, because the virus can be contacted through a skin-to-skin contact with an HPV infected area (such as the skin of the genitals or anal area).

However, there are type of vaginal cancer which are not related to the HPV infection, so this approach won’t entirely protect a women from not developing vaginal cancer, although it does help.

Another risk factor, that can be easily controlled and avoided, is smoking. Unfortunately, cigarette smoking has been proven to increase the risk for vaginal cancer. The two main approaches that can help are: do not start smoking if you are a nonsmoker or quit smoking if you are an active smoker.

A routine screening

A second option available to prevent vaginal cancer is being constantly tested for the pre-cancerous changes prior to the cancer onset. The screening test used to detect these pre-cancerous changes is PAP or Papanicolau smear test. This test involves scraping a sample of cells within the junction area of the cervix where the endocervix meets the ectodermic and vagina. This sample of tissue is examined under a microscope. Each woman should have an annual PAP test or at the least, every two years. Early detection of the pre-cancerous changes can be treated effectively before the cancer develops. The PAP test is also used to detect and prevent cervical cancer.

Receiving a vaccine

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine that can prevent vaginal cancer. However, there is a vaccine approved by FDA that can prevent infection with HPV (one of the major risk factors in developing vaginal cancer). The name of this vaccine is Gardasil. This vaccine PREVENTS infection with HPV and can not be used to treat an existing infection. Gardasil is FDA approved and some medical insurance plans might cover it. The vaccine series costs around $360 (but this price does not include the doctor’s fee and cost of receiving the injection).

This vaccines requires a series of 3 injections over a 6 months period, where the second injection is administrated two months after the first one and the third one after four months from the second administration. The most common side effects of this vaccine are: short-term redness, swelling, and soreness in the area where the injection is administrated.

In order to be more effective, the vaccine should be administered before the young woman becomes sexually active. Federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that the vaccine to be administrated to girls between the age of 11 or 12. For women between the age of 13 to 26 who did not receive this vaccine between the age of 11 to 12, it is recommended they receive what is called a “catch-up vaccination”.

Article by Alina Morrow, MA
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com

Sources:
American Cancer Society, Detailed Guide: Vaginal Cancer, July 2006
Medline Plus, Vaginal Cancer, May 2007
A.P. John, Institute for Cancer Research, Vaginal Cancer, 2003
University of Virginia, Health System, Gynecology Health, Vaginal Cancer, November 2006
Cancer Research UK, Vaginal Cancer, January 2007
Better Health Channel, Vaginal cancer, 2006
University of Maryland Medicine, Gynecological Oncology, Vaginal Cancer, May 2003
University of San Francisco, Medical Center, Gynecologic Cancer, Vaginal Cancer, May 2007
National Cancer Institute, Vaginal Cancer (PDQ®): Treatment, February 2007
Virginia Commonwealth University, Massey Cancer Center, Vaginal Cancer, December 2005