Health
Breast Cancer Risk Linked To Consumption Of Processed Meats- Study
Eating processed meats like bacon, ham, and sausages can up the risk of breast cancer in women
A new study claims eating processed meats like bacon, ham, and sausages can up the risk of breast cancer in women.
According to the study conducted by a team of researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and other health institutions across America and Europe, regular consumption of processed meats can increase the risk of getting breast cancer. Processed meats are those that have been preserved through the process of smoking, curing or salting.
For the purpose of the study, the research team analyzed data collected from previous studies looking at more than 1.2 million women. It was found that those women who regularly ate processed meats were 9 percent more likely to develop breast cancer.
The researchers claim that their systematic review and meta-analysis study has found that there is a significant positive association between the consumption of processed meat with the risk of breast cancer.
“Cutting down processed meat seems beneficial for the prevention of breast cancer,” said study lead author Dr. Maryam Farvid, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Despite the latest results, experts said the findings should be regarded with caution as it does not suggest people cut processed meats from their diets entirely.
Furthermore, the research findings leave “many questions unanswered” and does not prove that increased processed meat intake led directly to breast cancer in the women studied. However, the researchers believe there are benefits to reducing intake of the food. The research findings have been published in the International Journal of Cancer journal.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women worldwide. Notably, previous studies have also categorized processed meats as a carcinogenic to human. Back in 2015, the World Health Organization’s cancer agency announced hot dogs, bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats raise the risk of colon, stomach and other cancers.
