Cancer Information Service

Health Topics A-Z

Health Topics by Category

Processed Meat and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer

Peer Review Status: Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Information Service
First Published: 2004
Last Revised: January 2004

Scientists have speculated that the consumption of red and processed meats is linked to increased risk of colorectal cancer. The recent results of the European Prospective Investigation into Nutrition and Cancer (EPIC) confirmed that eating processed meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer. The findings of EPIC involve a half million people all over Europe and has looked at their eating/cooking habits.

Previous studies have linked high meat intake to colorectal cancer, but almost all of the studies put fresh meat and processed meats together in studies. In the EPIC study, it was clear that processed or preserved meat was linked to colon cancer. Red meat was not cleared of suspicion, however. Scientists at the National Cancer Institute warn the results are preliminary. More study is needed before any conclusions can be drawn.

This large European study found that if a person ate an average of 2 ounces of processed meat per day (equivalent of a jumbo hot dog) they had a 50% greater chance of developing colorectal cancer than those who ate no preserved meat.

Scientists are now looking at a carcinogenic chemical called N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) as the culprit in processed meats. NOCs are formed in processed meat from the nitrite preservatives that are added. A researcher at Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer at the University of Nebraska has found that the NOC levels in hot dog brands vary. The level varies in the same brand of hot dogs bought at different times, leading them to believe that the NOC level rises the longer it sits on the supermarket shelf. Further study will be done on how conditions during the manufacturing of processed meat can be changed to lower the levels of NOCs.

It would seem that until safer methods are used to preserve processed meat, it would be best to eat processed meats only occasionally. A healthier option would be to replace processed meat with more healthful meat replacements such as soy based substitutes for bacon, sausage or hot dogs.