The verdict is in – and it’s not a good one for all those bacon lovers out there. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but according to the WHO (World Health Organization), processed meats, such as bacon, sausages and ham, do cause cancer. In fact, they are among the most carcinogenic substances, included in the same category (group 1 carcinogens) as cigarettes, alcohol, asbestos and arsenic.
When we say ‘processed meat’ we refer to meat that has been altered from its original form by adding preservatives to it so that it lasts longer in the fridge, or so that the taste takes on a salty or smoky flavor. However not all processed meat has the same risk. Red meats (pork, beef, lamb) on their own have a higher risk than lighter meats (fish, turkey, chicken), which are placed in group 2A, meaning they are probably carcinogenic to humans, but not definitely. The meats with the highest likelihood to cause cancer are the most delicious ones – sausages, hotdogs, bacon and salami.
So what can we do about it? Does this mean we should give up salami and cheese nights? – No. What about the Hungry Man breakfast menu option? – Maybe.
Unfortunately for you (and me), it looks like as little as two slices of bacon per day (50g) can increase one’s chance of developing colorectal cancer by 18%. Don’t panic though – I’m not saying everyone needs to give up their favorite breakfast side dish altogether, but it might be a good idea to cut down. On an individual level, the risk is low, but does increase with the amount of meat consumed.
In all seriousness, a bit of red meat here and there isn’t going to do much harm.
When looking at the evidence, it seems pretty conclusive that processed meat does have a significant risk to it. But avoiding it altogether isn’t necessarily going to prevent your risk of cancer either. It becomes harmful when it makes up a large portion of what we consume on a daily basis. Roughly 21% of bowel cancers are caused by processed or red meat, while only 3% of all cancer types are caused by processed/red meat. Compare this to tobacco, which accounts for the cause of 19% of all cancer types. There are around 34,000 deaths from cancer each year caused by diets high in processed meat, but there are 600,000 deaths a year caused by tobacco and alcohol consumption. When focusing on our biggest cancer risk factors, we should really be aiming to reduce smoking, alcohol consumption, and our body weight. A balanced lifestyle that involves daily exercise, leafy green vegetables, fiber, and happiness will be far more protective against cancer than avoiding your bacon with brunch. One helpful tip is that when looking at your plate, you should have about a palm sized meat portion, and over half of the plate should be colorful vegetables and fruits.
If you want to learn more, book your appointment with a Naturopathic Doctor now – we can help you with staying fit, happy and healthy this fall and winter.
For references and more information:
The WHO – IARC – International Agency for Research on Cancer
https://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2015/pdfs/pr240_E.pdf
