WHO: Processed Meat Linked To Cancer
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There's been a cancer warning about processed meats from the World Health Organization. But just how worried should we be?
This research is not new, but the announcement certainly is. It comes from the World Health Organization's international agency for research on cancer in Lyon, France, and they say it's based on more than 800 studies from several continents about meat and cancer.
Here is where the report grabs your attention: According to the group, processed meat such as ham and sausage can lead to colon and other cancers, and they believe red meat is probably cancer-causing, as well. They classify processed meat as carcinogenic to humans in the same category as cigarettes and red meat as probably carcinogenic to humans. Not unexpectedly, the meat industry groups protest the classification.
So what do you do with this information? Make certain that you eat a well-balanced diet, but lean towards poultry, fish and vegetables while avoiding processed meats.
This is a discussion that is going to continue.