Alcohol and testicular cancer is a subject of concern to many men. It’s also a concern of their partners.

In addition, people greatly fear cancer. They also fear problems with their genitals. So people especially fear cancer of their genitals.

I. Alcohol and Testicular Cancer

Drinking alcoholic beverages does not increase the risk of developing testicular cancer. That’s the conclusion of the National Cancer Institute, the American Academy of Family Physicians and CancerResearch UK. And also of the American Cancer Society, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and other medical organizations.

II. Risk Factors

Risk factors for testicular cancer include these.

• Undescended testicle(s). This increases the risk of testicular cancer by several times.
• Family history of testicular cancer.
• Cancer of the other testicle.
• Age. About 90% of testicular cancer occurs between the ages of 20 and 54.
• Race. White men are about five times more likely to develop testicular cancer than African-American men.  They’re three times more likely than Native-American or Asian-American men.
• HIV infection.
• AIDS
• Klinefelter’s syndrome. (That’s a condition in which men have an extra X chromosome.)

III. Symptoms

Symptoms of testicular cancer include these.

• A lump in a testicle.
• Enlargement or swelling of a testicle.
• Pain in a testicle or in the scrotum.
• Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
• A collection of fluid in the scrotum.
• Dull ache in the groin, lower abdomen, back or in the groin.
• An enlargement or tenderness of the breasts.

Monthly self-examination of the testicles is useful in early diagnosis of the disease. And the Testicular Cancer Society describes how to do testicular self-exams. See a doctor promptly if you notice any change. That’s because early treatment is very important.

In the 1970s, most men who had testicular cancer died from the disease. However, pioneering Dr. Lawrence Einhorn changed that. He developed a method of using three specific drugs combined. Dr. Einhorn and others have cntinued their efforts. Today, with early treatment, the survival rate is 99%.

IV. Drinking

Drinking alcohol is not a risk factor for testicular cancer. On the other hand, moderate drinkers tend to have better health and longer life than either abstaininers or alcohol abusers.

The U.S government has defined drinking in moderation. It’s a man having four alcoholic drinks on any day and an average of 14 drinks each week.

Some people think that only wine has health benefits. But beer, wine and spirits are all good for better health and longer life.  There’s no evidence that any one alcoholic beverage is superior.

V. Resources on Testicular Cancer

These books are useful to general readers.

Hansen, R. Testicular Cancer. A Patient’s Guide. Germany: DA, 2015.

Johanson, P. Frequently Asked Questions about Testicular Cancer. NY: Rosen, 2008. (Juv read)

Lin, D. and Taneja, S. Testicular Cancer. Philadephia: Elsevier, 2015.

National Cancer Institute. Testicular Cancer. Questions and Answers. Bethesda: The Institute, 2005.

Parker, J. and Parker, P. The Official Patient’s Sourcebook on Testicular Cancer. San Diego: Icon, 2002.

Shah, P. Testicular Cancer. The Essential Guide. Peterborough: Need-2-Know, 2012.

Note: This website does not make any suggestions about drinking alcohol and testicular cancer.