Can Eating Processed Meats Cause Cancer? Yes, Says World Health Organization Report
Question: Can eating processed meats cause cancer? According to the latest report World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), yes it can.
The cancer agency has evaluated the carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat.
Red meat
After thoroughly reviewing the accumulated scientific literature, a Working Group of 22 experts from 10 countries convened by the IARC Monographs Programme classified the consumption of red meat as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), based on limited evidence that the consumption of red meat causes cancer in humans and strong mechanistic evidence supporting a carcinogenic effect. This association was observed mainly for colorectal cancer , but associ ations were also seen for pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.
Processed meat
Processed m eat was classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer.
Meat consumption and its effects
The consumption of meat varies greatly between countries, with from a few percent up to 100% of people eating red meat, depending on the country, and somewhat lower proportions eating processed meat. The experts concluded t hat each 50 g ram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases t he risk of colorectal cancer by 18%. “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,” says Dr Kurt Straif, Head of the IARC Monographs Programme. “In view of the large number of people who consume processed meat, the global impact on cancer incidence is of public health importance.” The IARC Working Group considered more than 800 studies that investigated associations of more than a dozen types of cancer with the consumption of red meat or processed meat in many countries and populations with diverse diets. The most influential evidence came from large prospective cohort studies conducted over the past 20 years.
“These findings further support current public health recommendations to limit intake of meat,” says Dr, Christopher Wild, Director of IARC. “At the same time, red meat has nutritional value. Therefore, these results are important in enabling governments and international regulatory agencies to conduct risk assessments, in order to balance the risk s and benefits of eating red meat and processed meat and to provide the best possible dietary recommendations.”
Read all the tweets from WHO:
Association between red meat & #cancer was observed mainly for colorectal cancer, but assoc were also seen for pancreatic & prostate cancer
— WHO (@WHO) October 26, 2015
Experts concluded that each 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal #cancer by 18%
— WHO (@WHO) October 26, 2015
Red meat refers to all types of mammalian muscle meat, such as beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse & goat https://t.co/Cg72nm9elq
— WHO (@WHO) October 26, 2015
Processed meat refers to meat that has been salted, cured, fermented, smoked, other processes to enhance flavour or improve preservation
— WHO (@WHO) October 26, 2015
Examples of processed meat: hot dogs (frankfurters), ham, sausages, corned beef, biltong or beef jerky, canned meat https://t.co/Cg72nm9elq
— WHO (@WHO) October 26, 2015
High-temperature meat cooking methods generate compounds that may contribute to carcinogenic risk – their role is not yet fully understood
— WHO (@WHO) October 26, 2015
Q: Does it mean consumption of processed meat is as carcinogenic as tobacco smoking and asbestos? pic.twitter.com/yCYl6eKEEG
— WHO (@WHO) October 26, 2015