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5145663 
Journal Article 
Percivall Pott (1713-1788). 200th Anniversary of First Report of Occupation-Induced Cancer of Scrotum in Chimney Sweeper (1775) 
Melicow, MM 
1975 
1 
Urology
ISSN: 0090-4295
EISSN: 1527-9995 
6 
6 
Beginning in 1775, the history of occupational cancer is reviewed. The high incidence of scrotal cancer in British males who were chimney sweeps as children, the etiology of cancer of the scrotum, the roles of physicians and legislators in regulating protection for chimney sweeps in the workplace, and the identification of the causative agent in scrotal cancer are discussed. The author concludes that delayed onset of cancer of the scrotum in British chimney sweeps is the first recorded occupational cancer; and it took 158 years to identify the proximate carcinogen in coal-tar and soot, 3,4-benzpyrene (50328).