Processed meats do cause cancer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34615621

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

Its report said 50g of processed meat a day - less than two slices of bacon - increased the chance of developing colorectal cancer by 18%.

it has now placed processed meat in the same category as plutonium

A bit over the top me thinks..

[denphone]

They always say have everything in moderation as l would say over a monthly period l would have about 6 sausages and 2 to 4 rashers of bacon as far as processed meat is concerned and l don't think that is OTT as overall l think l have a pretty balanced diet.

[Hom3r]

All food is processed if you really thing about it.

I like a bit of ham,I avoid sausages as they are too full of fat and bacon is a once a month treat.I may have red meat once a week,occasionally twice ..fish,chicken,pulses the rest of the time.

[Gary L]

Tax it!

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Gary L

Tax it!

Yes you would have us all eating rabbit food every day of the month if you was in charge.

[solitaire]

Originally Posted by Damien

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34615621

If everyone was vegetarian, these crackpots would still come up with theories like this to justify their jobs. As long as you aren't excessive in what you eat you should be o.k.

Originally Posted by solitaire

If everyone was vegetarian, these crackpots would still come up with theories like this to justify their jobs. As long as you aren't excessive in what you eat you should be o.k.

Not really 'crackpots'. It's the World Heath Organisation.

Average chance of getting colorectal cancer is 5%, and most people who get it are over 50.

If you eat excessive amounts of processed meats, the risk increases by 18% (of 5%), which means the risk is approx. 6% - not a huge increase in the risk factor....

[Osem]

Life causes cancer eventually. It's just a question of whether anything else gets you first...

[Taf]

It's all statistics based on statistics. No real science, no causal proof. As with many things "scientific" these days.

And as Osem infers, life is terminal through cancer if nothing else gets you.

Originally Posted by Taf

It's all statistics based on statistics. No real science, no causal proof. As with many things "scientific" these days.

Well statistics are a form of science, in this case it's Epidemiology, but the World Health Organisation do have different categories to distinguish between a causal link and a proven link. This is why they've put processed meats in the carcinogenic category but have not yet placed red meat there despite the relative acceptance that it is a risk.

It's not as if this is one study or it has come out of the blue based on a random sample. There have been many studies and the link between processed meats and cancer has long been suspected but until now they hadn't been sufficiently sure to upgrade processed to meats to 'can cause cancer' level.

They also have a relatively good idea why:

Suspected carcinogenic chemicals can form during meat processing. These include N-nitroso compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Cooking the meat at high temperatures, especially on a barbecue, can also produce these dangerous chemicals. However, the WHO's experts admit that the cancer risk is "not yet fully understood".

Remember they're not saying you cannot eat meat or demanding government intervention but at least people are now informed and can make the decision for themselves. People will still eat processed meat, including me, but now we know that it increases the risk of cancer. As we know drinking does too.

People should be informed about their food and then make their own choices. It's unobjectionable imo.

I remember reading an article in the 70s that said eating bacon and eggs with coffee was carcinogenic..I said pft then and I say it now..

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I remember reading an article in the 70s that said eating bacon and eggs with coffee was carcinogenic..I said pft then and I say it now..

Not sure if any health authorities gave that credence but still they're always adjusting and learning more. If it turns out that processed meats don't cause cancer then we'll find that out but the likelihood is that won't happen. Not that many substances find their way onto the Group 1 carcinogenic list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._1_carcinogens

Remember that this isn't one study, a casual link or an arbitrary decision. The World Heath Organisation are sufficiently sure of this link to put it in the same category as tobacco. They're careful enough with this classification that despite plenty of studies showing a link between red meat and cancer, and despite the statistical correlation between red meat consumption and cancer rates, they remain wary of yet classifying it as a carcinogen.

In other words they don't take these decisions without good reason. They may be wrong but for now I don't see the reason not to believe them.