Alcohol and scrotal cancer. Are they linked? That is, does drinking alcohol increase the risk of forming cancer of the scrotum? In a word, no.

After studying the findings of research around the world, that’s the conclusion of major medical organizations. They include the American Cancer Society, National Institutes of Health, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and others.

These conclusions about alcohol and scrotal cancer risk apply to wine, beer and distilled spirits.

Scrotal Cancer Risk Factors

Risk factors for scrotal cancer include any of these.

• • Race. White men are more likely to form scrotal cancer.
  • Exposure to long-wave ultraviolet radiation (UVA). Doctors often use this to treat psoriasis.
  • Occupation. Those working in some occupations are at more risk. These include working in chimney sweeping, parafin, shale oil, cotton spinning, and machine operation. Also those in petroleum wax pressing, screw-making, and automatic lathe operating.

The incidence of scrotal cancer has doubled over the past 30 years. Men should be alert to any sore on the scrotum. Especially if it ulcerates or opens they should see a doctor. Most lumps on the scrotum are harmless. But a man should take any sore seriously. Better safe than sorry.

Moderate Drinking Benefits Health

Alcohol and scrotal cancer aren’t linked. Of course, that means drinking isn’t a risk factor for scrotal cancer. Yet drinking regularly and in moderation is linked with better health and longer life. That’s in comparison with either not drinking or drinking abusively.

A federal agency (NIAAA) has defined drinking in moderation. For a man it’s having four drinks on any day and an average of 14 drinks per week.

Standard Drinks

A standard alcoholic drink is any of these.

• • 12-ounce can or bottle of regular beer
  • 5-ounce glass of dinner wine
  • shot (one and one-half ounces) of liquor or spirits such as vodka, tequila, rum, etc.

Standard drinks contain equal amounts of pure alcohol. It’s 0.6 of an ounce. So to a breath tester, they’re all the same.

Also, beer, wine, and spirits give similar health and long life benefits.

Resources on Scrotal Cancer

Web Pages

• • Scrotal Cancer
  • Primary Scrotal Cancer
  • Occupation and Scrotal Cancer  
  • Primary Scrotal Cancer

Popular Books

Books for patients, loved ones, and caregivers.

• • Caine, W. and Garfinkel, P. The Male Body: an Owner’s Manual. Emmaus, PA: Rodale, 1999.
  • Bellenir, K. Cancer Sourcebook. Detroit: Omni, 2007.
  • Haylock, P. Men’s Cancers. Alameda, CA: Hunter, 2001.
  • Brewer, S. The Guide to Men’s Health. NY: SelectBooks, 2016.
  • Morra, M. and Potts, E. Choices. NY: HarperCollins, 2003.
  • Murphy, M. My Battle with Male Cancer. Dingle: Brandon, 2010.

Medical Articles on Alcohol and Scrotal Cancer

• • Brown, A., et al. Study of Occupational Skin Cancer with Special Reference to Scrotal Cancer. Birmingham, Eng: U of Birmingham, 1975.
  • Burmer, G., et al. Squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum associated with human papillomaviruses. J Urol, 1993, 147, 374-384.
  • Coggon, D., et al. Mortality from scrotal cancer. Occ Med, 1996, 46(1), 69-70.
  • Crawford, E., and Das, S. Scrotal Cancer. Sauers, 1992.
  • Daar, A., and Ormiston, M. Alcohol and scrotal cancer. Brit J Clin Prac, 1981, 35(7-8), 281-282.
  • Grossman, H. Premalignant scrotum. Uro Clin of North Am, 1992, 19(2), 221-226.
  • Haggerty, B. Scrotal cancer. Nurse Prac, 1983, 8(10): 45, 48, 50 passim.
  • Harish, K. Urethral carcinoma mimicking scrotal cancer. J Ind Med Assn, 2009, 107(2), 108.
  • Iiyama, T., and Watanabe, H. Scrotal metastasis from ureteral cancer. J Urol, 2001, 165(5), 1637.
  • Lowe, F. Carcinoma of the scrotum. Urol Clin North Am, 1992, 19(2), 397-405.
  • McDonald, M., et al. Carcinoma of the scrotum. Urol, 1982, 19, 269-274.
  • Muglia, V., et al. Scrotal diseases. Adult Urol. 2002, 59, 419-423.
  • Onur M., et al. Scrotal ultrasonography. Androl, 2008, 40(1), 58-61.
  • Roush, G., et al. Scrotal cancer. Cancer, 1984, 54(3), 596-601.
  • ______. Survival after scrotal carcinoma. Cancer, 1985, 55(3), 666-671.
  • Schwaab, T., and Nangia, A. Scrotal cancer. New Eng J Med, 2005, 352(19), 2002.
  • Taniguchi, S, et al. Carcinoma of the scrotum. Derma, 1996, 193, 253-254.
  • ______., et al. Scrotal cancer. Brit J Indust Med, 1984(4), 437-444.
  • Wright, J., et al. Primary scrotal cancer. Urol, 2008, 72(5),1139.

Note

This website gives no advice on drinking alcohol and scrotal cancer. Please see a doctor for medical advice.