A DIET with lots of processed meats as in hot dogs and sausages raises the risk of pancreatic cancer, according to a study. The researchers found that heavy consumers of processed meats — 40g a day or more — were 67 per cent more likely to develop cancer of the pancreas than study participants with the lowest intake.
In addition, a diet rich in pork and red meat — 70g a day or more — also increased pancreatic cancer risk by about 50 per cent, according to the study.
Dr Ute Nothlings, the study’s lead investigator from the Cancer Research Centre at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, said “the results suggest that carcinogenic substances related to meat preparation, rather than their inherent fat or cholesterol content, might be responsible.” She noted, however, that the study did not examine cooking methods and her team is now working to collect that data.
