Processed Meat Now Officially Linked to Pancreatic Cancer

New Discovery Will Make You Think Twice About Processed Meat

We always knew it was wrong, but many of us could not fight the urge to eat processed food. like bacon, sausage, hotdogs and other favorites. This is because they are so delicious -- especially bacon and sausage, but breaking news indicates that processed meat is just not worth the risk. There is now a definite link between eating all processed meat and contracting pancreatic cancer, this according to researchers in Sweden.

This discovery could mean significant dietary changes for people from all over the world.

The study states that just by eating the equivalent of one sausage every day will increase your risk of contracting this disease by 19%. Some people have a couple of slices of bacon for breakfast several days a week, or a couple of small sausage links. This is in no way excessive, yet according to the study, even consumption like this is not completely safe.

However, this consumption level carries with it a very low chance of developing pancreatic cancers, one of the rarest forms of cancer. One thing people have to consider, however, is that people that enjoy a little bit of processed meat with several breakfasts a week tend to order burgers with bacon on them, and they tend to consume other process meats randomly throughout the week, like bacon on cobb salads, a quick hot dog or spicy sausage for lunch. Casual processed meat eaters generally consume more processed meat than they realize, because they do not monitor the little bit here and there at every meal.

The World Cancer Research Fund

The World Cancer Research Fund adds a new view on the whole matter, stating that the actual link can be caused by obesity.

If you did not know already, both red meat and processed meat have been officially linked to bowel cancer. Because of this, the United Kingdom government advised citizens not to eat more than 70g in one day.

Professor Susanna Larsson conducted a study at the Karolinska Institute. She told the BBC that right now, it is “quite controversial,” to link these foods to other forms of cancer as well. She stated, “It is known that eating red meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer, it's not so much known about other cancers”

The British Journal of Cancer published the study. The study was conducted by analyzing data from 6,643 patients that had pancreatic cancer and 11 trials.

Hazel Nunn, a representative from Cancer Research UK stated that, ''The increased risk was found only in processed meat''

Specifically, the study’s findings indicated that eating processed meat would increase your risk of getting pancreatic cancer. The risk went up by 19% for every 50mg you add to your regular diet. If you were to consume an extra 100g, you will increase your risk by 38%

It is important to understand what can increase the risk of this disease. ” Professor Larsson stated that, ''The increased risk was found only in processed meat,” however, she recommends that people should eat less red meat immediately.

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

If you are worried that you are at risk for pancreatic cancer, you should look for some symptoms. You might experience issues such as:

• A recurring pain in your abdomen that is gnawing and dull. Very often, this can spread to the patient’s back. The pain might also become worse when the patient consumes food.
• Jaundice
• Weight loss and/or weakness that cannot be explained.
• Loss of appetite and nauseau
• Diabetes
• Skin itching
• Shivering and Fever

Risk of Developing Pancreatic Cancer

According to Cancer Research UK, the risk of developing pancreatic cancer over a lifetime was still, “comparatively small.” equaling out to be one in 79 for women, or one in 77 for men.

The charity’s information director gave a statement:

“The jury is still out as to whether meat is a definite risk factor for pancreatic cancer and more large studies are needed to confirm this, but this new analysis suggests processed meat may be playing a role.” However, she made it clear that smoking was actually a much more prominent risk factor.

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, you should avoid processed meat completely.

The fund’s deputy head of science, Dr. Rachel Thomspson said, "We will be re-examining the factors behind pancreatic cancer later this year as part of our Continuous Update Project, which should tell us more about the relationship between cancer of the pancreas and processed meat.

There is strong evidence that being overweight or obese increases the risk of pancreatic cancer and this study may be an early indication of another factor behind the disease.

Regardless of this latest research, we have already established a strong link between eating red and processed meat and your chances of developing bowel cancer, which is why WCRF recommends limiting intake of red meat to 500g cooked weight a week and avoid processed meat altogether."