Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk. Risk factors for vaginal cancer include the following:
Being aged 60 or older.
Being exposed to DES while in the mother's womb. In the 1950s, the drug DES was given to some pregnant women to prevent miscarriage (premature birth of a fetus that cannot survive). Women who were exposed to DES before birth have an increased risk of vaginal cancer. Some of these women develop a rare form of vaginal cancer called clear cell adenocarcinoma.
Having human papilloma virus (HPV) infection.
Having a history of abnormal cells in the cervix or cervical cancer.
Having a history of abnormal cells in the uterus or cancer of the uterus.
Having had a hysterectomy for health problems that affect the uterus.