Pathology

Processed meat

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published its report in 2018 on processed meat and concluded that products including bacon, ham, hot dogs, lunch meat, and sausage are cancer-causing, classifying processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen. 

So, how dangerous is processed meat? The relative risk of colorectal cancer is 18% for every 50 grams a day, which is about one hot dog, two breakfast links, or two slices of Canadian bacon or ham. A daily sandwich with one or two slices of baloney would increase colorectal cancer risk by 18%, and a half-pound pastrami on rye would bump it up more like 80%. 

How does 18% increased cancer risk compare to other risky behaviors? Living with a smoker increases risk of lung cancer by 15%. So, breathing in secondhand smoke day in and day out increases lung cancer risk almost as much as eating a serving of processed meat day in and day out increases risk of colorectal cancer. 

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for men and women combined, after lung cancer. So, if you don’t smoke, colon and rectal cancer may be your greatest cancer nemesis.

https://publications.iarc.who.int/Book-And-Report-Series/Iarc-Monographs-On-The-Identification-Of-Carcinogenic-Hazards-To-Humans/Red-Meat-And-Processed-Meat-2018

https://nutritionfacts.org/video/how-much-cancer-does-processed-meat-cause/