Even though the causes of pancreatic cancer are still not scientifically confirmed, numerous studies have shown that red meat and meat products play a critical role in the incidence of this type of cancer.
Namely, research has shown that a couple of bacon or a sausage on a daily basis will increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by 19% compared to participants who do not consume these products. Moreover, this percentage is even rose to 29% in the case the participant consumed 120 grams of red meat.
This type of cancer grows extremely quickly and only in 2015, more than 4000 have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However, this cancer cannot be diagnosed in the early stage, and as a result, it kills more than any other cancer type.
Namely, only 5% of the diagnosed patients live more than five years, while around 74% of them die in the first year.
Moreover, the journal BMC Medicine published another study in 2013 which measured the rate of occurrence of this type of cancer. Namely, researchers divided participants into groups, who consumed processed meat, red meat and poultry.
Their findings pointed out that there is a powerful relation between cardiovascular disease and cancer, and the consumption of processed meat.
However, researchers could not get so concrete results in the case of poultry and unprocessed red meat. Hence, their conclusion was that the consumption of processed meat is linked to a high mortality rate.
Furthermore, they found that if the consumption of processed meat is reduced to less than 20 grams on a daily basis, 3.3% of deaths might be prevented.
All these studies examine one particular detrimental factor- nitrates. They are added to provide the red color or as a preservative. However, research has shown that nitrates are linked to cancer and may be a critical factor for the occurrence of cancer if meat products like bacon lead to cancer.
Nowadays, as the number of pancreatic cancer patients is continually growing, scientists struggle to discover its causes. Undoubtedly, the nature of the relation between pancreatic cancer and red meat demands a serious and dedicated research.
Yet, the risk will be inevitably reduced if you consume healthy foods and avoid processed ones and foods rich in chemicals or toxins.
The best thing you can do in order to preserve your health and prevent cancer, especially the one affecting your pancreas, is to be extremely careful what you consume, eliminate processed meat from your diet, and focus on organic vegetables and fruits.
