Will eating Deli Meat really cause cancer?

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Replies

  • Lillymoo01
    Lillymoo01 Posts: 2,865 Member
    paperpudding wrote: »
    As others have pointed out, processed meats can give a small increased risk of colonic cancers - this is not click bait, it is scientifically based.

    Of course, dosage matters - so there is a difference between turkey slice in a sandwich a few times a week ( for example) and sausages and bacon every meal every day.

    From the scientific data I would take the stance that not eating processed meats in excess ( I haven't looked up actual recommended levels as I dont eat a lot of it anyway) would be a good idea, particularly if you have other increased risk factors eg family history or history of rectal polyps.

    I would not take the stance that one turkey sandwich will cause cancer or that processed meats in low levels is any issue.

    I have both a family history (my mother died of colon cancer) and a history of rectal polyps (some pre-cancerous). I don't avoid processed meats (convenience factor as much as anything, but wish I could buy unprocessed turkey breast that is already cooked) but I do make sure it is not part of my everyday diet. I think the fact that I am a healthy weight, get adequate exercise, don't drink or smoke and have a diet high in fibre and low in saturated fats (plenty of unsaturated though) more than makes up for the slight increase in my risks from a slice of 2 or turkey or beef every few days.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,282 Member
    I would think the increased risk from a slice or two every few days is next to zero.

    The risk was only from excessive consumption ( dosage matters) and even that risk was very small.

    And of course, like you said, control your other risk factors too ie be healthy weight, don't smoke, eat balanced diet etc too.

    And, for those at risk or in relevant age groups, do FOBT's as recommended.

    Prevention is good but so is early detection.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    edited January 2019
    sebanii wrote: »
    But you hear about all those stories about cured meat/smoked/preserved (nitrates blah blah) are cancer causing

    I think the dosage and frequency for significant increase in cancer risk is a lot higher than what I eat, so I don't worry about it. I prefer to roast my own meat, when I can, because most deli meat (other than stuff that is dry cured, like salami or lebanon bologna) tastes/feels/looks like it's been pumped up with water, and I prefer not to pay meat prices for added water. But it's convenient, and turkey and ham both make nice snacks with a good protein-to-calories ratio.

    ETA: Plus, I'm counting on the genetic heritage of my grandfather who ate cured meat roughly three times a day, 365 days a year, and lived to his 90s. I seem to have gotten his dental health genes (he was still chewing all that cured meat with all of his own teeth in his 90s), so I'm hoping it's a package deal. :smile:
  • JaxxieKat
    JaxxieKat Posts: 427 Member
    Next week they'll say cold cuts cure cancer and milk causes it. Just eat what you like and stay in your calorie deficit. Only caveat with deli meats, as has already been mentioned, they are high in sodium which can cause a temporary water retention.
  • gcminton
    gcminton Posts: 170 Member
    You're right, we do hear an awful lot of fear-mongering from people with agendas (usually money) so it's important to consider the source and verify the information. I know I'm grateful that there are people here on MFP that are highly educated in a variety of subjects, so there's usually at least one person that'll chime in to shed light on pretty much anything you could imagine.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    edited January 2019
    paperpudding wrote: »
    There are legitimate scientific sources linking excess consumption of processed meats and red meat to a small increase in colonic cancer risk.

    Yes i get that the risk is small and should be seen in context and is probably not statistically significant for most people - but on the other hand I dont dismiss it as being clickbait nonsense - It is not. It is useful information if understood correctly and seen in context. (like most things)

    I don't think anyone is saying the research is clickbait, it's the way it was relayed to the public. And unfortunately it's a fact of research life that sometimes you have to up the drama to get more money for more research, or take advantage of the general publics lack of scientific literacy.

    And I do think we are still talking about correlation, there is no observed direct affect in the lab, although someone can feel free to correct me if that's wrong.

    For me, I think the takeaway is that if I were to worry about every possible thing that could potentially raise my risk of cancer a smidge, I'd starve to death in a padded cell.
  • peggy_polenta
    peggy_polenta Posts: 325 Member
    my butcher roasts some of the cuts they offer and they will slice them up for me. i take them home and portion them out in freezer bags then pull them out when i want a supper i don't have to cook. check with yours. maybe they will do turkey for you.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    You need to understand how to translate the numbers. Processed meats increase your risk of cancer by 18%...that's 18% of the starting risk factor. The starting risk factor for developing colon cancer is 5%...so you would take 18% of 5% (.18 x .05 = .009 increase...so .05 + .009 = roughly 6%). Not really statistically significant.

    Noting the degree of error exceeds the result, so statistically insignificant.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    CSARdiver wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    You need to understand how to translate the numbers. Processed meats increase your risk of cancer by 18%...that's 18% of the starting risk factor. The starting risk factor for developing colon cancer is 5%...so you would take 18% of 5% (.18 x .05 = .009 increase...so .05 + .009 = roughly 6%). Not really statistically significant.

    Noting the degree of error exceeds the result, so statistically insignificant.

    But that makes a terrible headline :tongue:

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