Evidence grows that eating red meat increases cancer risk

High consumption of red and processed meat is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, a new study has confirmed.

Eating large quantities of red meat seems to increase the risk of rectal cancer by 40%

Credit: UNP/REX

Meat consumption has previously been associated with colorectal cancer in earlier studies, but the strength of the association and types of meat involved have not been consistent (JAMA, 2005;293: 172-82).

Dr Ann Chao of the American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia, and colleagues examined the relation between long term meat consumption and the …