- Eating too much processed meat doubles risk of breast cancer, study finds
- But women can cancel out added danger with dietary pills, research claims
- Case histories of 4,684 middle-aged women examined over 13 year period
97
View
comments
Eating too much processed meat doubles the risk of breast cancer – but women can cancel out the added danger with dietary supplements, research claims.
Those who regularly consume ham, bacon, salami or sausages are twice as likely to develop the disease, a study found.
However, the odds level out if they take a daily pill comprising vitamins and minerals known to boost the immune system.
Eating too much processed meat doubles the risk of breast cancer ¿ but women can cancel out the added danger with dietary supplements, research claims (file picture)
French scientists examined the case histories of 4,684 middle-aged women who took part in a trial between 1994 and 2007.
Half the participants were given a daily capsule containing vitamins C and E plus zinc, selenium and beta carotene. The other half were given a placebo.
In total, 190 of the women went on to develop breast cancer.
The new research, at the University of Sorbonne Paris Cite, re-evaluated the data to take into account meat consumption.
Those who regularly eat sausages or other processed meat are twice as likely to develop cancer
The study said a high processed meat intake was associated with an increased breast cancer risk in the placebo group, but not in those taking supplements, adding: ‘This suggests that supplemental and possibly dietary antioxidants may counteract the potential pro-carcinogenic effects of processed meat.’
In the placebo group, those who ate above-average amounts of processed meat were around 2.5 times more at risk of cancer – even when other variables such age, weight, smoking, drinking, exercise and family cancer history were taken into consideration.
There has been conflicting evidence in the past about whether there is a link between breast cancer and eating meat.
But studies involving lab rats suggest that levels of vitamins in the diet could play the pivotal role and this is the first study to try out the theory in humans.
Last night, the findings were welcomed by campaigners.
Dr Caroline Dalton, senior policy officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: ‘The results of this study are interesting as we need to understand more about what causes breast cancer and how to try and prevent it.
‘It’s already been proven that women can reduce their breast cancer risk by maintaining a healthy weight, limiting the amount of alcohol they drink and participating in regular physical activity.
‘And we do know that everybody should follow a varied, balanced diet for general health and wellbeing that includes fruits, vegetables, pulses and whole grains, and limited red meat, processed meat, animal fat, sugary or fatty processed food, salt and alcohol.’
or comment on this article
-
Must see! Hilarious dog showers baby with toys to stop it…
-
911: Dad finds beats teen found molesting his son
-
New aftermath video of chokehold arrest which left man dead
-
Little girl tearfully begs dad to return her stolen nose
-
Wreckage at the crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17
-
Moment black box recorder from flight MH17 is recovered
-
Audio claims to show pro-Russian conspiracy to hide MH17…
-
Open winner Rory McIlroy has heckler ejected on 16th tee
-
Obama: Ukraine crash is an outrage of unspeakable…
-
Skye McCole Bartusiak alongside Mel Gibson in The Patriot…
-
Rebels says black boxes from Ukraine site under control
-
You won’t believe these thieves in dropped wallet experiment
-
Jewish doctor thrown off of JetBlue flight after accusing…
-
We’ll freeze Russian billions, furious Cameron warns Putin…
-
Graveyard of desecration: Grave robbers. Ghoulish tourists…
-
Shameful! Sky man rifles through case: Fury over reporter’s…
-
Child star who played Mel Gibson’s daughter in The Patriot…
-
A chilling echo of Nazi death trains as MH17 victims begin…
-
Casey Kasem’s body was put on a plane and flown from Tacoma…
-
Pro-Russian forces finally agree to hand over MH17 black…
-
I’m sorry!: Charlie the guilty dog showers crying baby with…
-
Is this the BUK missile launcher that shot down MH17 being…
-
NYPD cop shown on video putting suspect in deadly chokehold…
-
Using DNA to find a perfect mate? New dating site uses DNA…
Comments (97)
what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
Abi39,
Plymouth, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
Nitrates/nitrites in processed foods have been proven to be the problem NOT meat. Antioxidants are in vegetables and fruits. Eating mostly meat fish vegetables and snacking on fruit and nuts kept and will continue to keep humans healthy .We all know this really. We all know that as humans we cant get away with eating much off this list without health problems.
goldengrain,
Wallington, United Kingdom,
10 hours ago
People who give up meat tend to fill up on carbs. This is being blamed, to some extent, on the current problems of obesity and diabetes.
The vegetarians whom I have known seem to have a problem handling stress. I’ve seen articles to that affect, as well.
Primalist,
Safely over the Border, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
Tilly39,
London,
17 hours ago
We are all entitled to our own opinion, but I sincerely wish that some contributors would not just red arrow persons, because they think it is amusing, for this is a very serious subject and believe me. If you think cancer is a joke, I do sincerely hope that you are never afflicted because it is not a joke but sadly in some cases a killer !!!!
Tilly39,
London,
13 hours ago
joe,
Brisbane.,
1 day ago
Processed food is rubbish any sensible person should be bending over backwards to change what’s on the menu at home. To boot such efforts always have a positive effect in observing and exacting change elsewhere in your crappy life.
Jess,
London,
1 day ago
Listen – the evidence is there. No meat.
Jess,
London,
1 day ago
Listen – the evidence is there. No meat.
Cinnamon,
London, United Kingdom,
1 day ago
Everyone should be taking them anyways… Prevention is better than cure.
LONGESTUSERNAMEEVER1,
FIRKINELL, United Kingdom,
1 day ago
Daily Mail causes cancer.
Viera,
Spalding, United Kingdom,
1 day ago
One shouldnt stop eating meet. This article is about PROCESSED meats. Mainly sodium nitrate. Its like any typo of food, more you tinker with it, less beneficial it becomes.
kirsten,
Runcorn, United Kingdom,
1 day ago
Simply don’t eat the meat!It isn’t rocket science.
Mark,
Southport, United Kingdom,
1 day ago
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Find out now