Processed meat increases the risk for pancreatic cancer 


A new study in the British Journal of Cancer found a link between processed meat consumption and pancreatic cancer. As though we need another reason to stop chowing down on sausage and bacon. 50 grams of processed meat per day increased pancreatic cancer risk by 19%. 50 grams is about 2 oz. which is equivalent to one sausage or hot dog (your palm in size and thickness is 3 oz) 


Processed meats include: bacon, sausages, hot dog, salami and other deli meats that have been cured. One hypothesis for this increased pancreatic cancer risk is the nitrates and nitrites in processed meats that are used for curing and preserving the meat. Nitrites can form n-nitroso that travels to the pancreas via the blood and is known to be a carcinogen. 


Consumption of processed meat has already been linked to increased risk of stomach and colon cancer, as well as diabetes and heart disease. This link to pancreatic cancer is especially important due to the very low survival rate of this cancer (only 5.5% survive after 5 years.) 


As for red meat, a link between red meat and pancreatic cancer was only found in men, maybe due to the fact that men eat a lot more red meat then do women. 

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