49. Ditch the Bacon to Save Your Bacon?
Here’s a question for you, which 50% do you fall into? The 50% that know that processed milk is strongly linked to our risk of developing colorectal cancer or the 50% that thinks there’s no such thing as too much ham, bacon and yum, pepperoni?
More than 10 years ago, the World Health Organization categorized processed meats as a level 1 carcinogen (yes, the same category as smoking and asbestos!) yet so many of us are still unaware just how deadly that daily ham sandwich could turn out to be.
Our duo considers the implications of the recent survey of American adults showing an alarming lack of understanding of the relationship between processed meat consumption and the development of colorectal cancer. Whilst reviewing the likelihood of a cancer diagnosis at different ages, they also discuss the worrying global trend of increasing colorectal cancer diagnoses in the under-50 age group.
Listen in on our WTYT? duo’s conversation and let us know if it changes your mind about that BLT sandwich😉
Episode Resources:
This whole conversation started with me reading this article which in turn, made me search out the original poll that showed just how many adults don’t know about the link between processed meat consumption and colorectal cancer.
Read here about the WHO’s classification of cancer risk factors, everything from processed meats to asbestos.
And now you’re shocked at the lack of awareness, which category do you fall in? Are you ready to find out more about the size and science of this dietary cancer risk, then this is just the article for you.
In addition to eating processed meat, all sorts of other factors play into our risk of developing colorectal cancer - some of which we can control, others we can’t! For a very straightforward discussion of the risk factors for colorectal cancer, check out these resources.
We understand that whilst we here at WTYT? love numbers and data, sometimes it can all get a little overwhelming! Here are some of those key numbers again as well as the resources that provided our numbers: Cancer is truly a disease of ageing: 9 out of every 10 diagnosed cancers will be in people over the age of 50. 1 in 20 Colerectal cancer diagnoses are in under 50s but 1 in 3 cancer diagnoses in u50s are colon cancer and diagnosis rates of U50 colorectal cancer are increasing globally!
scientists and health care professionals have suggested several ways to reduce society’s colorectal cancer rates: warnings akin to those found on cigarette packets to be placed on all processed meats; we should all (well probably most of us) eat more fiber.
Want an easy way to get 10g extra fiber every day? Just add 2 table spoons of chia seeds to that morning porridge, lots of benefits and very few side-effects!
And finally, if you were fascinated about our mention of the pros and cons of plant-based diets with respect to cancer, then check out this study of cancer and possible dietary links in 1.8 million people: 1.64 million meat eaters, 57,016 poultry eaters (no red meat), 42,910 people who ate fish and no meat (pescatarians), 63,147 vegetarians and 8,849 vegans.
Stay healthy and keep sending us your questions, we can’t do this podcast without you!
