Processed Meat Found to Increase Breast Cancer Risk as Well as Colon Cancer Risk

Deli products such as sucuk, sausages and salami, which we particularly enjoy at breakfast, are processed meats. Processed meats are known to be generally harmful, increasing the risk of colorectal (colon and rectal) cancer and cardiovascular diseases. According to a new study, processed meats may also increase the risk of breast cancer.

What Is Processed Meat?

Processed meat is meat preserved by salting, smoking, drying or canning.

Food products in the processed meat category include:

• Sausages,
• Salami,
• Sucuk,
• Pastirma,
• Ham,
• Salted and cured meat,
• Smoked meat,
• Dried meat,
• Canned meat.

Meat that has been frozen or subjected to mechanical processes such as cutting and slicing is considered unprocessed.

European Journal of Cancer published an article confirming that processed meat is carcinogenic and suggesting that, overall, for postmenopausal women it increases breast cancer risk .

• When does a carcinogenic substance cause cancer?

However, the research found no evidence that regular red meat increases breast cancer risk. With healthy cooking methods and balanced consumption, it is not yet possible to say that red meat increases cancer risk.

Looking at the research, data on overall meat consumption were collected between 2007-2010 from women aged 40 to 69, totaling 273,466, in the UK Biobank. The results were then included in a meta-analysis of prospective studies using predefined criteria.

This large-scale study found that people consuming processed meat had a higher risk of breast cancer. The study’s results identified processed meat as a risk factor independently of factors such as sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, obesity and dietary patterns.

Processed meats contain various chemical compounds that are not naturally present in fresh meat. Many of these are harmful to health. According to research, some of these harmful compounds, consumed continually through processed meat over the long term, can be said to increase the risk of chronic diseases, particularly cancer. We recommend eating more fresh foods in your diet instead.

• The Pros and Cons of Red Meat