Bad news for bacon lovers: it seems that processed meat does increase the risk of cancer.
A new report by the World Health Organization somewhat glumly made the link in a new report, published on the front page of today’s New York Times.
The report also says there is “some evidence that eating red meat, including beef, pork and lamb, can cause cancer in the colon, prostate or pancreas.
The Times says the report is based on a review of 800 studies on cancer in humans.
“The findings, which are meant to help governments make dietary recommendations, linked increased risks of developing certain cancers to the amount of meat consumed,” the report says.
“Consumed daily, each 50 grams of processed meat, equal to about two slices of ham or a sausage, increases the risk of colon cancer by 18 percent.
“For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed,” said Kurt Straif, an expert at the agency.
“In view of the large number of people who consume processed meat, the global impact on cancer incidence is of public health importance.”
The report can be read here.
