New blow for the meat industry: the International Cancer Research Centre, the World Health Organization health agency (WHO) based in Lyon, has just classified as “carcinogenic” meat transformed (by salting, fermenting, smoking …) and as “probably carcinogenic” red meat (meat from mammals).
How Has the study been conducted?
A working group of 22 experts from 10 different countries made a review of the scientific literature on the subject. This has been decided because epidemiological studies have shown that small increases in the risk of several cancers could be associated with high meat consumption.
The Red meat is it really cause cancer?
Red meat was classified as “probably carcinogenic” as positive associations were observed between meat consumption red and colorectal cancer but also to a lesser extent, pancreas or prostate cancer. But these limited data that does not eliminate completely the role of chance or bias statistics. Note that the cancer risks associated with the consumption of poultry and fish were not assessed at all.
Is the processed meat more dangerous ?
It is considered that for a standard serving, the risks are equivalent. What changes is the degree of certainty with respect to the risk: it is certain that processed meat consumption plays a role in the onset of certain cancers such as colon cancer. However, it is only a presumption in the case of red meat (not processed).
What mechanisms meat consumption increases -t it the risk of cancer?
Meat contains a number of chemical compounds that are formed during the processing or cooking, some of which are proven carcinogens or suspected. But their role is not well understood.
Is it a major risk?
Analysis data from 10 studies was calculated that each serving of 50 grams of processed meat consumed daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18% approximately. However, studies conducted by the Epidemiology Catherine Hill team at the Institut Gustave Roussy showed that the number of cancers attributable to meat consumption would be the same order as the infection (papilloma virus, hepatitis, Helicobacter pillory etc.), or about 3%, against 18% for tobacco and 8% for alcohol.
Is colorectal cancer frequent?
Colorectal cancer ranks third in France in number of new cases behind lung cancer and breast cancer or prostate cancer depending on whether women or men. In 2012 (latest figures available), it has involved 23,000 men and 19,000 women. It is responsible for 11% of cancer deaths in men and 13% among women. But the number of deaths from this cancer is down 8% for men and 5% in women.
Should we stop eat meat?
Meat consumption has recognized benefits for health, but already many national recommendations advise limiting consumption for other reasons such as heart disease or diabetes. From the perspective of cancer, if one considers the risk increases with the amount consumed, the available data for this assessment does not determine an optimum level.
What to do to prevent cancer?
We must act first on the most important and best documented causes such as tobacco and alcohol (not to exceed a drink of wine per day). Diet also plays a role, even if it is more difficult to define. It thus considers it necessary to consume more than 400 grams of fruit and vegetables a day, more than 23 grams of fiber and less than 5 grams of salt. And have a red meat consumption “moderate” . However, eating organic does not reduce the risk of cancer.
Catherine Ducruet
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