Ongoing study has diet guidelines
A new look at the link between bowel cancer risks and red and processed meat has some dietary guidelines, and while meats increase the cancer risk, the studies show that increased fiber drops the odds.
Dr. Rich O'Neill, with SUNY Upstate, says the World Cancer Research Fund report shows very little risk if you keep your red meat consumption at less than 18 ouces per week. But 3.5 ounces every day (=24.5 per week) the risk increases 17%, and if you eat 7 ounces daily (49 oz per week) the risk is 34% hgher.
O'Neill says eating increased amounts of processed meats, including ham, bacon, pastrami, hot dogs and sausages, poses double the risk of red meat. But, the conclusion that foods containing fibre protect against bowel cancer has been changed from 'probable' to 'convincing.'
O'Neill says the findings are based on 24 scientific study, not one random effort, and that an independent expert panel reviewed the many papers submitted in the areas since the last review in 2007.