The best way to reduce the risk of vaginal cancer is to avoid known risk factors whenever possible. But since many women with vaginal cancer have no known risk factors, it is not possible to completely prevent this disease.

Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) may increase a woman's chance of developing vaginal cancer. You can reduce the risk of infection with HPV by delaying onset of sexual intercourse if you are young and by avoiding sex with many persons or with persons who have had multiple partners.

Avoiding HPV infection may reduce a woman's vaginal cancer risk. However, many vaginal cancers do not have evidence of HPV infections, so this approach will not entirely prevent the disease.

A new vaccine has been approved by the FDA that will prevent infection with HPV types 16 and 18. It is recommended for use in young women before they become sexually active. Although there are no studies on whether this will prevent vaginal cancer, there is hope that many cases will be prevented through the use of this vaccine.

Avoiding tobacco use may also reduce your risk of vaginal cancer, in addition to obvious benefits of greatly reducing your risk of developing far more common cancers of the lungs, mouth, throat, bladder, kidneys, and several other organs.

Most vaginal squamous cell cancers are believed to develop from pre-cancerous changes, called vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN), that may be present for years before a true cancer forms. Detection of these pre-cancers by regular Pap tests permits treatment to prevent a true cancer from developing.