Many factors are suspected in the development of vaginal cancer; the most common include:
- smoking
- multiple sexual partners (the fact that it increases your risk of STDs)
- history of cervical cancer
- having had a hysterectomy
- having had radiation therapy to the pelvic area
- Age – squamous cell vaginal canceris more common in women aged 50 or over
- history of human papillomavirus (HPV) disease such as genital warts
- certain precancerous conditions in vagina such as vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN)
- having taken diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy
- Personal history of gynecologic cancer, especially cervical cancer.