WCRF: People should avoid processed meat

People should avoid eating processed meat to reduce their risk of bowel cancer, according to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

Professor Martin Wiseman, medical and scientific adviser for WCRF, said scientists are "more sure now than ever before that eating processed meat increases [people's] risk of bowel cancer".

Studies have shown that if people eat 50g of processed meat a day then their bowel cancer risk is increased by 20 per cent.

Professor Wiseman said given this estimation "it is clear that you can make a positive difference by cutting out as much as possible".

"The evidence is that whether you are talking about bacon, ham or pastrami, the safest amount to eat is none at all," he added.

"We do recommend that people avoid it completely, but it is not a case of all or nothing. Cutting down the amount of processed meat you eat can also reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer."