Cutting down on processed meat

More than one in 10 people have tried to cut down on processed meat such as bacon as a result of a cancer prevention report published by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).

In a YouGov survey of 2,124 people commissioned by the charity to mark a year since the report's launch, 11% of people said that as a result of media coverage of it they had tried to cut down on processed meat such as bacon.

 

This is because of its advice that people should avoid eating processed meat because of evidence that it increases risk of bowel cancer. Further research suggests that if someone eats 150g of processed meat a day – roughly the equivalent of two sausages and three rashers of bacon – they are 63% more likely to develop bowel cancer.

 

According to the survey, older people were more likely to have tried to make changes. For example, 37% of over 55s said they had tried to cut down on processed meat, compared to just 6% of 18 to 34-year-olds.

 

The research also found that over a quarter (26 per cent) of people said they had tried to eat more fruits and vegetables as a result of the media coverage, following the findings that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables probably reduces risk of a number of types of cancer, including cancers of the stomach and oesophagus.

 

Other highlights of the report found that 18% of people had tried to be more physically active, 9% had tried to cut down the amount of alcohol they drink, and 10% had tried to eat less red meat, such as beef, pork and lamb.

 

Richard Evans, head of communications for WCRF, said: "A big part of our work is interpreting the latest scientific research and then giving people the information so they are then be in a position to make informed decisions. This survey shows that if people are told how they can reduce their risk of cancer then many of them will make changes.

"However, recent market research has shown that despite the wall-to-wall media coverage of our report, many people are still unaware of how things like diet and physical activity affect cancer risk. For example, only 57% of people are aware that having a poor diet increases your chances of developing cancer."

Words: Maria Bracken

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