Alcohol and Vaginal Cancer Risk: Does Drinking Effect Risk?

Women may be concerned about drinking alcohol and vaginal cancer risk. However, drinking alcohol (wine, distilled spirits or beer) does not increase the risk of developing cancer of the vagina. That’s the conclusion of leading medical organizations. They include the National Cancer Institute, American Society of Clinical Oncology, CancerHelp UK, tand many others.

Risk Factors

The risk factors for cancer of the vaginal include these.

Age. It usually develops after the age of 60.
Smoking.
Radiation therapy in the vaginal area.
Hysterectomy.
Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
Cervical cancer.
Pessary (a device used to keep a sagging uterus in place) 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 not associated with menstruation.
A lump in the vagina.
Pain during sexual intercourse.
Pain in the pelvis.

Such symptoms may or may not indicate vaginal cancer. Therefore, see a doctor.

Reducing Risk

The risk of developing vaginal cancer can be reduced in a number of ways:

Receiving a vaccine to prevent vaginal cancer among girls and women ages nine to 26.
Not smoking.
Avoiding sexual 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 associated with better health and living longer. That’s in comparison with either not drinking alcohol or abusing it.

Drinking in moderation has been described by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 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 a:

- - 12-ounce can or bottle of beer.
  - Five-ounce glass of dinner wine.
  - Shot (one and one-half ounces) of liquor or spirits. That’s vodka, tequila, whiskey, rum , gin, etc.