Healthy living
Body matters
Fry-up cancer link
Tucking into a hearty fry-up may be your idea of the perfect breakfast but it may also significantly increase your risk of developing cancer, warns the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)
In fact, eating just 150g of processed meat a day – the equivalent of three rashers of bacon and two sausages - could increase your risk of developing bowel cancer by 63 per cent.
The WCRF are so concerned about the link between bowel cancer and processed meat that they are recommending that people should avoid eating it altogether.
‘For some people, having a fry-up with bacon and sausages might seem like a good way to start the day. But if you are doing this regularly then you are significantly increasing your risk of bowel cancer, which is one of the most common cancers in the UK,’ said Professor Martin Wiseman, medical and scientific adviser for WCRF.
‘Only a third of people are aware of the link between processed meat and cancer, which means two thirds of people are not in a position to make an informed choice about how much of it they eat.’
If you can't resist sizzling sausages and bacon, then your best option is to keep them for a special treat – perhaps for a Sunday fry-up or barbecue. Other processed meats that carry the same risks include ham, salami and hot dogs.
‘This is not a question of all or nothing because the more processed meat you eat the greater your risk,’ says Wiseman. ‘For example, if you eat 150g of it a day then you will be increasing your bowel cancer risk by about two thirds. But if you only eat 50g a day – roughly the equivalent of a sausage – then you will be increasing your risk by about a fifth.’
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK’s director of health information is keen to point out that there are other factors that may also increase the risk of bowel cancer.
‘It’s also important to remember that many other parts of your diet and wider lifestyle can affect the risk of bowel cancer – and this along with the genes you inherit will also affect your cancer risk,’ says Hiom.
‘Choosing a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol are at the heart of reducing cancer risk,’ advises the WCRF. The charity highlights eight different types of cancer that are linked with poor diet including bowel, breast, stomach, lung and prostate cancer.
The WCRF recommends basing your meals on plant foods like vegetables, fruits, lentils, beans and wholegrains such as brown rice and wholemeal pasta. It is also important to remember your five a day.
‘Opt for a colourful variety of vegetables and fruits every day. They are good sources of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals and are linked to a reduced risk of several cancers,’ says the WCRF.
More on bowel cancer
- Booze boosts your bowel cancer risk
- Coffee could help protect against colon cancer
- Bowel cancer surgery: chew your way to recovery
- Questions to ask your doctor about cancer
More on healthy eating
- Breaking the broccoli code: scientists scrutinise the super-food
- Stir-fried broccoli with chilli and ginger
- The top 20 healthy foods
- Whole-ier than thou: how whole grains protect your health
- Understanding antioxidants
- Eat Mediterranean style for a longer life
Useful websites
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
