Women may be concerned about drinking alcohol and vaginal cancer risk. But drinking alcohol (wine, distilled spir or beer) does not increase the risk of getting cancer of the vagina. The alcohol can be wine, beer, or distilled spirits (liquor). That’s the conclusion of leading medical groups. They include the National Cancer Institute, American Society of Clinical Oncology, CancerHelp UK, and many others.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for cancer of the vaginal include these.
- Age. It usually occurs after the age 60.
- Smoking.
- Radiation in the vaginal area.
- Hysterectomy.
- Infection with HPV.
- Cervical cancer.
- Pessary (a device to hold a sagging uterus) use
- DES use by mother. That’s a drug often used by pregnant women between the late 1940s and 1971.
Symptoms
The symptoms of vaginal cancer include any of these.
- Bleeding or discharge other than your period.
- A lump in the vagina.
- Pain during intercourse.
- Pain in the pelvis.
Such symptoms may or may not be vaginal cancer. So see a doctor.
Reducing Risk
The risk of getting vaginal cancer can be reduced in a number of ways.
- Getting a vaccine to prevent vaginal cancer among those nine to 26.
- Not smoking.
- Avoiding intercourse until late teens or older.
- Having regular Pap tests.
- Practicing safe sex.
- Avoiding sex with multiple partners.
- Not having sex with anyone who has had many partners.
Alcohol for Health
Drinking alcohol does not increase the risk of developing vaginal cancer. However, it is linked with better health and longer life. That’s in comparison with either not drinking or drinking heavily.
Drinking in moderation has been described by a federal agency. For women it’s having no more than three drinks on any day and an average of seven drinks each week.
A standard alcoholic drink is any of these.
12-ounce can or bottle of beer.- Five-ounce glass of dinner wine.
- Shot (one and one-half ounces) of liquor or spirits.
Standard drinks contain equivalent amounts of pure alcohol. It’s six-tents of one ounce.
No form of alcohol (beer, wine, or distilled spirits) gives more health or long life benefits than any other.
Alcohol and Vaginal Cancer Risk
Web
Books
- Allen, D. and Green, G. Women and Cancer.
- Bell, K. Cancer Sourcebook for Women.
- CDC. Vaginal and Vulvar Cancers.
- Elit, L. Women and Cancer.
- Hartman, L. and Loprinzi, C. Mayo Clinic. Women’s Cancers.
- Jones, K. Cancer Sourcebook.
- Medical Tests Sourcebook.
- Women’s Health Concerns Sourcebook.
- Smith, J. and Del Priore, G. Women’s Cancers.
- Turk, C. and Edel, M. The Book of Women’s Cancer.
Note
- This website gives no advice. That includes alcohol and vaginal cancer. Please see your doctor with your questions.