Red meat, processed meat and cancer (2024)

FAQs

Is red meat processed meat cancerous? ›

Eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel and stomach cancer. Red meat, such as beef, lamb and pork, has been classified as a Group 2A carcinogen which means it probably causes cancer. Did you know if you've had cancer, maintaining a healthy diet can help prevent it from coming back?

You can eat meat if you have cancer or have had cancer. It's a good source of protein, iron, vitamin B12 and zinc. There's no evidence to suggest you should avoid meat. However, eating meat is not essential and you should make sure you eat a balanced diet.

Processed meat intake was associated with colorectal cancer in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (451 cases) (English et al., 2004). The relative risks were 1.5 (95% CI, 1.1–2.0; P_trend = 0.01) for the highest compared with the lowest intake and 1.07 (95% CI, 1.01–1.13) for an increase of 1 serving/week.

Fresh chicken, turkey, beef, pork and fish that have not been modified are considered unprocessed meats.

There is no way to completely eliminate your risk of cancer. However, the American Institute of Cancer Research recommends avoiding processed meats. That means eat as little processed meat as possible. They are considered carcinogens and eating them increases your cancer risk.

The new IARC report places processed meats (hot dogs, bacon, ham, sausage, cold cuts) in Group 1: Carcinogenic to Humans, the same category as cigarettes. Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) is assigned to Group 2A: Probably Carcinogenic to Humans.

Meat moves through your system in the same way as other foods; there's no 'sitting around'. Getting enough fibre and fluid will help keep everything – meat or vegetable – moving nicely.

A diet high in red and processed meat is linked to bowel cancer. Red meat includes beef, lamb and pork. Processed meats include sausages, hams, salami and rashers. Replace red meat with other protein like chicken, fish and beans.

Stick with round, sirloin, or loin.

The National Cattleman's Beef Association top five lean cuts are: Eye of round – 1.4 g saturated fat, 4 g total fat. Sirloin tip side steak – 1.6 g saturated fat, 4.1 g total fat. Top round roast and Steak – 1.6 g saturated fat, 4.6 g total fat.

So, it could be that any risk from ultra-processed foods comes from the fact they contribute to obesity, which in turn contributes to cancer risk. That could be separate from the way these foods are processed or the preservatives or additives they contain.

Is boar's head deli meat processed? ›

Our products are not highly processed. In order for you to enjoy optimum flavor, we recommend that you do not purchase more product than you can consume within three days.

Eating too much bacon, sausages, hot dogs, canned meat, or lunch meat—meat that has been processed in some way to preserve or flavor it—is bad for health, according to experts. A number of studies have found links between processed meat and various forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes.

If you're looking for the healthiest lunch meat option, choose the leanest cuts of deli meat possible, such as turkey, chicken breast, lean ham or roast beef. “These types of deli meat have the least amount of fat and provide a better nutrient value compared to others,” Zumpano says.

Processed foods: When ingredients such as oil, sugar or salt are added to foods and they are packaged, the result is processed foods. Examples are simple bread, cheese, tofu, and canned tuna or beans. These foods have been altered, but not in a way that's detrimental to health.

Processed red meats contain chemicals, such as nitrite preservatives, that generate certain compounds in the gut that can cause cancer. Cooking meat at high temperatures, such as grilling or barbecuing, can also create chemicals in the meat that may increase the risk of cancer.

Cooking meat at high temperature creates carcinogens

The two types of carcinogens are heterocyclic amines – related to pan-searing – and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which come from smoke. Grilling or barbequing will create both these carcinogens.

Eating too much bacon, sausages, hot dogs, canned meat, or lunch meat—meat that has been processed in some way to preserve or flavor it—is bad for health, according to experts. A number of studies have found links between processed meat and various forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes.