Processed meat may increase pancreatic cancer risk
According to new research published in the British Journal of Cancer, eating too much processed meat may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
The study found that for each 50 grams of processed meat eaten every day – equivalent to a sausage or two rashers of bacon – there was a 19 per cent rise in the risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those who ate no meat.
The evidence for red meat was inconclusive with an increase in risk for men but not for women. The results showed that there was a 29 per cent increase in pancreatic cancer risk for men who ate 120 grams per day of red meat compared to those who ate no meat. This may be because men in the study tended to eat more red meat than women.
The researchers analysed the results of 11 studies involving over 6,000 people with pancreatic cancer.
"Pancreatic cancer has poor survival rates", says study author Associate Professor Susanna Larsson. "So as well as diagnosing it early, it's important to understand what can increase the risk of this disease."
Publication
Red and processed meat consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer: meta-analysis of prospective studies.
Br. J. Cancer 2012 Jan;106(3):603-7