Vulval Cancer and VIN – What You Should Know (Not Fear)
Let’s start with a deep breath.
Talking about cancer is never easy, especially when you’re already living with a chronic condition like Lichen Sclerosus. But knowledge isn’t just power — it’s reassurance. The goal of this chapter isn’t to frighten you, but to equip you with facts, so you feel prepared, not panicked.
First, the Good News
Vulval cancer is rare. And when it’s caught early, it’s highly treatable. Regular monitoring, consistent treatment, and simply being aware of what’s normal for your body significantly reduce the risk.
What Is Vulval Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN)?
VIN is a precancerous condition where cells in the vulval skin begin to change in a way that could (but doesn’t always) develop into cancer. There are two main types:
- uVIN (usual type) – often linked to HPV (human papillomavirus)
- dVIN (differentiated type) – more commonly associated with Lichen Sclerosus
dVIN is rarer but carries a higher risk of progression to vulval cancer. This is why regular check-ups and long-term management of LS are so important.
What Is Vulval Cancer?
Vulval cancer is a type of skin cancer affecting the external genitalia. It usually develops slowly and is often preceded by VIN. Common signs include:
- A persistent lump or ulcer that doesn’t heal
- Changes in the colour or texture of the skin
- Bleeding or discharge unrelated to menstruation
- Pain, itching, or burning that feels different than a flare-up
Should You Be Worried?
Living with LS does slightly increase your risk of vulval cancer — especially if the condition is not treated or monitored. But this does not mean you’ll get cancer.
With proper care, your risk remains low.
What You Can Do
Here’s how to stay empowered, not afraid:
- Stick to your treatment plan
Using topical steroids as prescribed helps reduce inflammation and cellular changes that may lead to dVIN. - Check your skin monthly
Use a mirror in good lighting. Look for new patches, ulcers, thickening, colour changes, or anything that doesn’t feel right. - See your specialist regularly
Yearly (or more frequent) vulval reviews allow professionals to catch any changes early. Don’t hesitate to request a biopsy if something looks or feels new. - Know when to ask questions
If a lesion persists for more than a few weeks, bleeds, or looks unusual — get it checked. - Don’t skip emotional support
Cancer anxiety is real. Whether you’ve known someone affected, or you’re facing your own fears, it’s okay to talk about it.
If You’re Diagnosed With VIN or Vulval Cancer
You are not alone. And you are not powerless.
Treatment may include topical therapies, surgical excision, or laser therapy — often done with the goal of preserving function and comfort. Most women with early VIN or vulval cancer recover well.
Support is available through:
- Gynaecological cancer nurses
- Counsellors or psychosexual therapists
- LS support groups
- Holistic wellness practitioners
Let Knowledge Be Your Strength
It’s normal to feel fear when reading about cancer. But try to let that fear guide you toward awareness, not avoidance.
You are already doing something powerful by reading this book, learning about your condition, and caring for your body. Keep going. Keep asking questions. Keep looking after yourself.
In the next chapter, we’ll explore how LS may behave after menopause — and how to continue living confidently through every stage of life.
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Dr. Shirin is a fully-trained and highly-experienced aesthetic physician, who works diligently to ensure a 5 star quality service, and brings an honest and ethical approach to every one of our clients. With over 20 years of experience in the medical field, including several years as a GP and a sub-speciality in anaesthetics, Dr. Shirin is fascinated by the harmony between medicine and aesthetics, and with her expertise, Elite Aesthetics is able to offer effective, doctor-led treatments to vastly improve the lives of our clients.
To find out more about how we’ve put a smile on customers faces in the past, read our testimonials below for first-hand accounts of a variety of our treatments. You can also find out more about what we think at Elite on our blog, as well as reading more about what the press says about us. Our delighted clients hail from areas including Greenhithe, Dartford, Gravesend, Bromley, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, and West Malling – as well as from further afield.
Had a consultation with Elite yesterday, I must say I was a bit nervous, but Dr Shirin was so friendly and helpful.
I was given lots of advice and was given treatment options that were within my budget.
A few weeks after the P Shot I've really started to see a difference and have gained my confidence back.
Thank You!
Elite is an outstanding professional clinic with high standard treatments. All the staff members are friendly and offer you honest opinions when it comes to products and treatments. This is a welcoming clinic that I can 100% recommend. Treatments are spoken through and explained in detail, also aftercare. I have been going nearly a year now and am happy with all the treatments I’ve had, wouldn't go anywhere else. The Bocox treatment started to work within a few days, which I was surprised about. So glad I went to Elite for treatment.
Thank you Dr Shirin, the O Shot has really helped me with my Lichen Sclerosus. I'd heard about the treatment on the LS Facebook Groups and message a few people that had treatment with Dr Shirin. I was like many in the group who had run out of treatment options and using creams on a daily basis. I have to say a few months after treatment, I can see a real positive change and I'm hoping my LS will continue to improve. Dr Shirin did say that I might have to have a second treatment given how severe my case is.
A great discovery in the neighbourhood ! There is no need to go up to London for a beauty treatment of any kind. You'll find a whole range of different treatments suiting all age groups and concerns. Welcoming, reassuring, friendly, professional, high tech. I shall be back for more. I love the results of the Thread Lift I had.
Great service as always, skin is glowing very happy
Very happy with the result of my recent visit. For sure will continue with Elite in future
I have been very happy with the care and attention you have received from Dr Shirin.. I would definitely recommend Elite to my family and friends.
Dr Shirins professional approach fills you with confidence. The clinic is modern and efficiently run. They certainly do their utmost to help and advise their clients. I am 100% satisfied that I made the right decision in choosing Elite Aesthetics !
thank you again for my follow up appointment to make sure i was ok and there was no life changing affects from the mess I had done else where how a midwife and beautician can inject and leave customers the way they did is unreal the mess my lips where in and the amount of lumps left was so bad and although there still not perfect Dr shirin managed to massage a lot of the lumps out so not only has she done my previous practitioners job with that but she also cares about the wellbeing of her customers I just wish I had got to Dr shirin to start with con not thank her enough
Great clinic, lovely, clean and modern. Charlotte was excellent, knowledgeable about the treatment whilst also friendly. The facial itself was very enjoyable and my skin looks and feels tighter and smoother. If highly recommend.
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Accreditations
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We have extensive knowledge and experience in the medical and aesthetics industries, but we know that above all, the results matter! All of our treatments are vigorously tested in-house before we offer them to our clients to ensure they are safe, effective and will give you, our wonderful clients, the results you want. Your happiness, well-being and satisfaction are at the very core of everything we do here at Elite Aesthetics, and as a result we will never over-treat or carry out a procedure that Dr. Shirin, deems inappropriate or unsafe. Ethical treatment guides our practice, and we aim to become an industry leader in this respect. This means you can always feel confident that you are in safe hands when you choose Elite Aesthetics.
Our practice is led by our founder, Dr. Shirin Lakhani, who is an advocate for greater regulation in the aesthetics industry. Dr. Shirin and Elite Aesthetics believe greater regulation is vital to the development of aesthetics industry as a whole, and as such, our clinic’s philosophy is based on providing doctor-led care to the highest, medically approved standards. We adhere to stringent ethical and medical principles ensuring all the procedures we offer are safe and effective. Dr. Shirin is also fully registered with the GMC (reference number 4634863), and Elite Aesthetics is CQC (Care Quality Commission) Registered, an endorsement recognised by the UK Government, The Department of Health and NHS England.
Elite Aesthetics has been awarded PDO Thread Lift Certification by MINT Threads.
