Study shows consumption of bacon and sausages increases risk of breast cancer

Research has suggested that eating regularly processed meats, such as bacon and sausages, may increase the risk of breast cancer.

A review of studies conducted in this area by the International Journal of Cancer found that the risk of cancer was 9% higher among consumers of processed meat than among those who consumed small amounts.

The study supports previous findings of the World Health Organization, according to which processed meats are carcinogenic.

Researchers have suggested reducing the consumption of processed meat to prevent breast cancer.

However, the experts cautioned to be cautious about the results and to say that the real risk for people is "very low".

The authors of the study examined 15 studies on the link between consumption of red and processed meat and breast cancer, which would have yielded conflicting results.

After analysis, consumption of processed meat was found to be associated with a higher risk of breast cancer than consumption of unprocessed red meat.

Dr. Maryam Farvid, lead author of the study, said: "Previous work has associated an increased risk of certain types of cancer with increased consumption of processed meat, and this recent meta-analysis suggests that consumption of processed meat could also increase the risk of breast cancer.

"Therefore, the reduction of processed meat seems beneficial for the prevention of breast cancer."

But Dr. Gunter Kuhnlee, associate professor in nutrition and health at the University of Reading, who did not participate in the study, told the BBC that he was "doubtful" whether people should reduce their consumption of red and processed meat on the back of this study.

He said the real risk posed by processed meats was "very low" for the individual and more relevant to the entire population.

The World Health Organization defines processed meat as meat that has been processed by salting, salting, fermenting, smoking or any other process to improve taste or preservation.

Examples of processed meat include hot dogs (sausages), ham, sausages, salted beef, biltong or beef steak, as well as canned meat and meat preparations and sauces.

Red meat refers to all mammalian muscle meat, including beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse and goat.