Vaginal Cancer Prevention  

Routine gynecological exam is the best way to detect any change or precancerous lesions in your vagina. This preventive measure can help your doctor to detect and remove precancerous abnormalities in your vagina. Routine pelvic exam also allows your gynecologist to detect cancer in its genesis which will benefit non aggressive but effective treatment. 

Early diagnosis and adequate treatment of HPV infections are also important. The onset of clinical signs such as vaginal discharge, irregular bleeding, and pelvic pain should not be neglected. In addition, urinary or rectal abnormalities should not be overlooked. Report these changes to your physician so that he can perform an exploratory clinical and gynecological exam.  

There are other factors that may lead to the development of vaginal cancer that deserve your attention. To reduce your risk of vaginal cancer and many other cancers, you need to:  

• Stop smoking – cigarette smoke – including second hand smoke – increase the risk of all types of cancer including vaginal cancer. Therefore, if you really are serious to reduce your risk of having cancer, cigarette should be your enemy.  
• Adopt healthy diet - there is an increased risk of vaginal cancer linked with the consumption of saturated fat, especially animal fats and fried foods. In the other hand, a regular consumption of fruits, vegetables and cereals (especially high in beta-carotene) reduce the risk of vaginal cancer and many other cancers. 
• Exercise regularly - many studies have shown that physical activity reduces the risk of several types of cancer including vaginal cancer after menopause. In addition, regular exercise can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.  
• Maintain a healthy weight - being overweight can play a role in the development of all cancers. A Dutch epidemiological research that followed 25 000 women aged 40 to 65 years over a period of 13 years found that overweight was among postmenopausal women one of the two main risk factors for gynecological cancers.  
• Limit your alcohol intake - moderate drinking poses no risk of cancer, heavy alcohol consumption, in the other hand, is a causative factor.  

          Vaginal Cancer Survival Rates