World Health Organization report says processed meats cause cancer

Processed meats such as bacon, sausages and ham do cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

This association was observed mainly for colorectal cancer, but associations were also seen for pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.

It puts them along with substances such as alcohol, asbestos, arsenic and cigarettes in the highest risk category.

Experts from the World Health Organization department concluded that each 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increased the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%.

The study found inconclusive evidence to prove a link between processed meat and stomach cancer.

Processed meat in this context is defined as meat products produced through “salting, curing, fermentation and smoking”. These may contain beef or pork, but may also possess other red meats, poultry, offal, or by-products such as blood. Dr Kurt Straif, an IARC researcher involved in the study, explained that you do not simply get cancer because you consume processed meat.

Given that red meat is an important source of human nutrition, the results should help governments and regulatory agencies balance the risk and benefits of eating meat, said the agency.

“They’re saying that it could cause cancer but there’s not guarantee that it will cause cancer”, she said, “Meat is a continuing thing, you can’t live without it”. “However, red meat can be part of a normal diet, you just need to make sure you have a varied diet and most of your intake comes from fruits and vegetables”.

“The scientific evidence does not support a cause or link between any type of red or processed meat and any type of cancer”, says Dr. Shalene McNeill with the National Cattleman’s Beef Association. The report added that there were reasons to believe that red meat “probably” too caused colorectal cancer.

The risks arise from chemicals produced by processing the meats and from cooking.

He says it’s critical all consumers check out the facts about red meat and one avenue to do that is the Facts About Beef.com website.