Vulvar Cancer Risk Factors
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Vulvar Cancer Risk Factors
Researchers have identified several vulvar cancer risk factors. Obtaining a general knowledge of the risk factors for vulvar cancers may help women better manage their personal health.
Although scientists have not found an exact cause, it is possible for women to minimize their overall risk for vulvar cancer. It is not possible to know whether or not a woman will develop vulvar cancer, but women at an elevated risk due to the presence of certain conditions or infections may be candidates for additional screenings. All women, regardless of their vulvar cancer risk, may benefit from regular gynecological visits.
Common Risk Factors for Vulvar Cancer
Common risk factors for vulvar cancer include:
- Age - Women over 70 have a higher risk for invasive vulvar cancers.
- Smoking - Women who smoke are ingesting harmful chemicals that increase their risk for vulvar cancers, as well as many other forms of cancer.
- HPV Infection - There are more than 100 strains of HPV, some of which are considered "low risk" types that form non-cancerous warts or papillomas. HPV 16, HPV 18 and HPV 31 are considered high-risk strains and are more often linked to the development of vulvar cancers in younger women.
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) - This sexually-transmitted virus damages the immune system, and a weakened immune system may make women more susceptible to HPV infections.
- Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VAIN) - Abnormal cells found on the surface layer of the vulvar skin are often called VAIN or dysplasia.
- Cervical Cancers - Other genital cancers share similar risk factors, such as HPV and smoking.
Understanding Vulvar Cancer Risk Factors
Genes are important parts of our DNA that instruct cells how to grow and divide. DNA mutations are known to cause a variety of cancers by turning off genes that help suppress the disease. Some of these mutations are acquired during a lifetime and a few are inherited (passed on) from the parents.
Research suggests vulvar cancers are most likely caused by acquired mutations, such as those that occur as a result of chemicals found in cigarette smoke. These mutations, however, may also occur without a known reason.
Cellular abnormalities may be caused by an infection from the human papillomavirus (HPV). Women infected with HPV are at an increased risk for squamous cell cancer of the vulva, the most common vulvar cancer.
Younger women infected with HPV may have an even greater risk for vulvar cancer if they smoke cigarettes. Often these younger women show signs of a precancerous condition called vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). It is less common for older women with squamous cell vulvar cancer to show signs of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. Post-menopausal women may be more likely to develop lichen sclerosis and although this disease does not cause cancer, tissue scarred by the lichen sclerosus may be more prone to cancerous changes.
Most women can manage their vulvar cancer risk by taking steps to prevent sexually-transmitted infections. Also, regular gynecological checkups may increase the likelihood of detecting vulvar cancer early on.
NOTE: 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. If you think you may be at risk, you should discuss it with your doctor.
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