Majority are unaware eating processed meat can lead to bowel cancer

By Rich Jenkins, 72Point via SWNS

Six in 10 Brits are unaware eating processed meat can lead to bowel cancer.

A poll of 2,000 UK adults found 27 percent were not at all concerned about the potential impact processed meat could have on their health - specifically the risk of bowel cancer.

Processed meat is defined as any meat that has been preserved by smoking, curing, salting, or adding chemical preservatives, such as ham, bacon and sausages, as well as luncheon meats.

Certain chemicals added to meat to preserve it, such as nitrates and nitrites, react with the body when eaten.

It is this reaction, among other things, which contributes to the increased risk of bowel cancer.

It also emerged four in five of those surveyed were meat-eaters, consuming an average of 40g of processed meat a day, with a quarter eating more than 50g per day.

The research was commissioned for World Cancer Research Fund’s Cancer Prevention Action Week, which runs from 20th-26th February this year. The aim is to highlight the link between processed meat and bowel cancer.

Analysis of global research, carried out by the charity, found those who regularly eat processed meat have a 16 percent increased risk of developing bowel cancer for every 50g they eat, compared to those who don’t eat it.

It also indicates that processed meat consumption is linked to 14.5 percent of male and 10 percent of female bowel cancer cases.

Despite this, 58 percent of adults believed they eat about the right amount of processed meat, and only 24 percent felt they had too much.

Dr. Helen Croker, head of research interpretation at World Cancer Research Fund, said: "We know bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and that 54 percent of bowel cancer cases could be prevented.

“Our analysis of global research also shows that those who regularly eat processed meat have an increased risk of bowel cancer.

"We want to raise awareness of this and highlight steps that people can take to help reduce this risk.

“The work we do centres around prevention - which is why we carried out this research to understand how many people are aware of the link between processed meat and bowel cancer, and how we can help people reduce this risk.

“This Cancer Prevention Action Week, we are encouraging people to take part in the Great British Sarnie Swap and to reduce how much processed meat they eat, helping to lower their risk of bowel cancer, by swapping the processed meat in their sandwiches for healthier and affordable alternatives.”

The research also found just 53 percent have only a rough idea of what goes into making processed meat, with 25 percent admitting they had no idea.

Just 50 percent and 43 percent were aware a sausage sandwich and ham sandwich respectively contain processed meat.

The poll, carried out by OnePoll, found bacon was the most commonly consumed processed meat (66 percent) by meat-eaters, followed by sausage (65 percent) and ham (63 percent).

Bacon (15 percent) is also the nation’s favorite sandwich filling, along with cheese (14 percent) and egg mayo (13 percent).

It also revealed the main reasons people liked processed meat were the taste (55 percent), cost (44 percent) and convenience (41 percent).

However, there is a willingness among 48 percent of meat-eaters to reduce the amount of processed meat they eat, with 67 percent of adults willing to reduce their consumption in favor of healthier alternatives.

Matt Lambert, health information and promotion manager at World Cancer Research Fund, said: “It’s great to see that many people want to swap out processed meat for alternatives.

"We want to help people make changes to their diet by giving them some healthier swap ideas.

“Consider ingredients such as chopped, boiled eggs, tinned fish, or hummus with roasted vegetables.

"You could also use up any leftover roast chicken for a next-day sandwich.

“We know that in the current economic climate, the cost is a big factor when choosing food, which is why our website has a number of affordable and healthy sandwich-filling ideas.”

TIPS TO EAT LESS PROCESSED MEAT:

1. Check the ingredients list for words like nitrate, nitrite, cured or salted. If you see these words, it’s processed meat.
2. Reduce your portion sizes of processed meat – for example, if eating ham, have one slice rather than two.
3. If you tend to eat processed meat most days, why not challenge yourself to have more days meat-free?
4. Include more plant-based protein sources like beans, lentils, and chickpeas, soya-based food like tofu and tempeh, plain nuts and seeds, and grains like quinoa.
5. Swap processed meat for chicken and turkey or fish (white or oily). This will also help you to eat less saturated fat.
6. Choose more vegetables, pulses and wholegrains and make these the focus of your meals. Adding herbs, spices or a squeeze of lemon boosts the flavor.
7. Use smoked paprika to lift the flavor of dishes.
8. Instead of ham or other processed meat in sandwiches, wraps and salads, choose canned fish like tuna, boiled eggs, hummus, peanut butter (no added salt or sugar), avocado, cheese (like cheddar and cottage cheese), roasted vegetables or leftover home-cooked meat such as roast chicken.
9. For a healthier fry-up, rather than bacon or sausages with your eggs, add more grilled mushrooms and tomatoes. Or why not try halloumi or avocado?