PCRM: Processed Meat is the Next Public Health Crisis
toasterlisa
Posts: 100 Member
Check out this article and keep your foods whole, clean, natural and as organic as possible. Just thought I'd share!
http://www.pcrm.org/media/blog/march2012/processed-meat-is-the-next-public-health-crisis
"It’s National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and just in time. Awareness is in critically short supply. A new survey commissioned by PCRM showed that 39 percent of people surveyed do not know where their colon is, let alone what might cause cancer to develop. In fact, 70 percent do not know they are more likely to get colon cancer from frequently eating processed meats such as hot dogs.
Here are the facts: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading cancers in the United States, attacking 140,000 Americans every year, with a mortality rate close to 50 percent. In 2007, the body of research on this disease, including nearly 60 independent studies, was deemed to provide convincing evidence—the highest possible level of scientific evidence—that hot dogs and other processed meats cause colorectal cancer.
The message has not gotten through. Although cancer organizations have issued media releases and posted public service announcements, the popular press does not pick these stories up and the issue dies then and there.
Years ago, anti-tobacco dealt with the same problem, realizing that sterile messages do not work, and they decided to ramp it up with messages that tested the limits of what people wanted to hear or see. Later on, HIV advocates did the same. To gain media interest and public respect, they used sex, gore, shock, and anything else that could cut through the noise.
At PCRM, we felt humor was better than shock, and wanted to appeal to adolescents, as well as older people, since processed meats are strongly marketed to children and families, because they are cheap and familiar. Hence our billboard proclaiming "Hot Dogs Cause Butt Cancer."
The billboard’s blunt language aims to break America’s dangerous addiction to hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats. Americans eat 20 billion hot dogs a year. Per capita bacon consumption is 18 pounds a year.
Processed meats are a deadly habit. Each daily serving of hot dogs, bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats increases the risk of dying prematurely by 20 percent, according to a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health. The study emphasized the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Colorectal cancer is not the only processed meat danger. An NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study found that processed red meat was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. A study in Taiwan showed that consumption of cured and smoked meat can increase children’s risk for leukemia. A study in Australia found that women’s risk for ovarian cancer increased as a result of eating processed meats. A review in the journal Diabetologia found that those who regularly eat processed meats increase their risk for diabetes by 41 percent.
Adults have a right to take risks with their own health. But hot dogs and other processed meats are often fed to children, starting a lifelong habit that puts them at serious risk. It’s time to get serious about health and steer clear of unhealthful foods."
http://www.pcrm.org/media/blog/march2012/processed-meat-is-the-next-public-health-crisis
"It’s National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and just in time. Awareness is in critically short supply. A new survey commissioned by PCRM showed that 39 percent of people surveyed do not know where their colon is, let alone what might cause cancer to develop. In fact, 70 percent do not know they are more likely to get colon cancer from frequently eating processed meats such as hot dogs.
Here are the facts: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading cancers in the United States, attacking 140,000 Americans every year, with a mortality rate close to 50 percent. In 2007, the body of research on this disease, including nearly 60 independent studies, was deemed to provide convincing evidence—the highest possible level of scientific evidence—that hot dogs and other processed meats cause colorectal cancer.
The message has not gotten through. Although cancer organizations have issued media releases and posted public service announcements, the popular press does not pick these stories up and the issue dies then and there.
Years ago, anti-tobacco dealt with the same problem, realizing that sterile messages do not work, and they decided to ramp it up with messages that tested the limits of what people wanted to hear or see. Later on, HIV advocates did the same. To gain media interest and public respect, they used sex, gore, shock, and anything else that could cut through the noise.
At PCRM, we felt humor was better than shock, and wanted to appeal to adolescents, as well as older people, since processed meats are strongly marketed to children and families, because they are cheap and familiar. Hence our billboard proclaiming "Hot Dogs Cause Butt Cancer."
The billboard’s blunt language aims to break America’s dangerous addiction to hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats. Americans eat 20 billion hot dogs a year. Per capita bacon consumption is 18 pounds a year.
Processed meats are a deadly habit. Each daily serving of hot dogs, bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats increases the risk of dying prematurely by 20 percent, according to a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health. The study emphasized the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Colorectal cancer is not the only processed meat danger. An NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study found that processed red meat was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. A study in Taiwan showed that consumption of cured and smoked meat can increase children’s risk for leukemia. A study in Australia found that women’s risk for ovarian cancer increased as a result of eating processed meats. A review in the journal Diabetologia found that those who regularly eat processed meats increase their risk for diabetes by 41 percent.
Adults have a right to take risks with their own health. But hot dogs and other processed meats are often fed to children, starting a lifelong habit that puts them at serious risk. It’s time to get serious about health and steer clear of unhealthful foods."
0
Replies
-
Is this the whole "pink goo" thing? That stuff is super nasty. Who wants to eat food that's been processed with an enzyme that could glue your lungs shut?0
-
No, not pink goo. In this case "processed meats" means that they've had nitrites and other chemicals added to make them what they are.
You know that hot dogs are made with beef or pork, but they don't look anything like either of those meats. Bacon and sausages have "stuff" in them too, plus lots and lots of sodium.0 -
Ah, thanks. I've been hearing the evils of processed meats for a long time. Did you know you can polka dot a car with bologna? The nitrites and sulfites will eat right through the paint! Yuck!
Sorry to be lazy, couldn't get through the 1st paragraph of the article!
0 -
eh. they taste good. so, I think I'll continue the whole moderation thing.0
-
Ah, thanks. I've been hearing the evils of processed meats for a long time. Did you know you can polka dot a car with bologna? The nitrites and sulfites will eat right through the paint! Yuck!
um ... eggs will screw up the paint, too. even organic eggs. just to randomly grab one other food iteam.0 -
A new survey commissioned by PCRM showed that 39 percent of people surveyed do not know where their colon is . . .
I have to admit that line made me laugh. It's really very easy to explain to those 39 percent of people: "Your colon? That's the thing pressing so tightly on your head."0 -
Dr. Barnard?0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions