Colon Cancer

New studies have demonstrated direct causal links between red and processed meats and certain kinds of cancers, like colon cancer. According to research published in the medical journals, red and processed meats, such as salami and bacon are potentially as carcinogenic as tobacco smoke and diesel engine exhaust, which ranks it as among the leading risk factors in cancer. Furthermore, because of the ubiquitously used herbicide glyphosate, even fresh meats such as steaks and roasts are also potential cancer causing foods.

Colon Cancer Research

Reports provided by the IARC, an authority in cancer research, have demonstrated that there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate a causal link between eating red meat and the onset on colon cancer, which has become one of the leading causes of cancer worldwide. Furthermore, evidence suggests that eating even relatively small amounts of red and processed meats can lead to increased risks of developing cancer.

140,000 people in the US have been diagnosed with Colon Cancer

The reports were released after some 800 studies were assessed. Longitudinal studies that followed people over long periods of time were utilized as well as research regarding the general public. To sight an example from the research, it was demonstrated that even 100 grams of red meats a day have a causal increase of 17% with regards of to the risk of colorectal cancer and an 18% causal increase when consuming 50 grams of processed meats.

It is important to point out however, that the evidence linking red meats to cancer were not as clear cut as the evidence linking processed meats. There were many extraneous variables that were hard to delineate with regards to red meat consumption, including general diet and lifestyle practices that can potentially confound the variables. Many people who consume red meat are also more likely to practice unsafe habits such as smoking and not exercising regularly. As a result the causal relationship between red meat and cancer is tenuous at best. However, there is a much more clear and demonstrable causal link between processed meats and cancer.

Colon Cancer in Beverly Hills

Dr. Peyton Berookim offers colon cancer prevention and treatment options to patients in Beverly Hills. Contact his office to schedule your consultation (310) 271-1122.