Skip to main

Vulvar Cancer Screening

There are no standard screenings for vulvar cancer in patients who are not experiencing signs or symptoms. That’s why early detection is crucial.

Screening for Vulvar Cancer

While there is no recommended standard screening for vulvar cancer, certain conditions and lifestyle factors can put people at higher risk of the disease.

Risk Factors for Vulvar Cancer

Knowing the risk factors, understanding how vulvar cancer develops and detecting it early are all important to improving patient outcomes.

There are several risk factors for vulvar cancer:

  • Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL), also known as VIN, are a precancerous condition that results from persistent HPV infection and can progress to vulvar cancer if not treated.
  • Vulvar skin dermatoses, including lichen sclerosus, lichen planus and Paget’s disease. These vulvar skin conditions may progress to cancer.
  • Smoking. Smoking not only exposes people to cancer-causing chemicals but also increases the risk of developing vulvar cancer.
  • Age. More than half of all vulvar cancer diagnoses occur in people older than 70.
  • Immunodeficiency syndromes, such as HIV.

Without Screening, What Next?

With no screening guidelines for vulvar cancer, it’s understandable to have questions about how to identify the disease — and how to do so early. As a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winship brings together experts in the field of gynecologic cancers, offering patients a specialized team experienced in managing and treating vulvar cancer. Talk to your gynecologist or primary care physician about getting a referral to Winship.