Eating just one sausage or three rashers of bacon a day can increase the risk of developing bowel cancer by one fifth.
That's the opinion of Prof Martin Wiseman, the medical and scientific advisor for the World Cancer Research Fund (WRCF). Prof Wiseman said there was a convincing link between the consumption of processed meats and cancer.
Meats under the spotlight include those processed by smoking, curing or the addition of preservatives - things like salami, ham, bacon and hot dogs. Hamburgers and minced meat with added salt, colouring or chemical preservatives also fall under suspicion.
Prof Wiseman said: "We are more sure now than ever before that eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel cancer.
"Whether it is bacon or ham, the safest amount to eat is none at all."
The evidence also suggests that red meats like pork, beef and lamb contribute to bowel cancer, although not as much as processed meats.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, affecting 1 in 20 Briton's at some time during their life. It is second only to lung cancer in terms of mortality and 100 new cases of the disease are confirmed every day.
That's the opinion of Prof Martin Wiseman, the medical and scientific advisor for the World Cancer Research Fund (WRCF). Prof Wiseman said there was a convincing link between the consumption of processed meats and cancer.
Meats under the spotlight include those processed by smoking, curing or the addition of preservatives - things like salami, ham, bacon and hot dogs. Hamburgers and minced meat with added salt, colouring or chemical preservatives also fall under suspicion.
Prof Wiseman said: "We are more sure now than ever before that eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel cancer.
"Whether it is bacon or ham, the safest amount to eat is none at all."
The evidence also suggests that red meats like pork, beef and lamb contribute to bowel cancer, although not as much as processed meats.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, affecting 1 in 20 Briton's at some time during their life. It is second only to lung cancer in terms of mortality and 100 new cases of the disease are confirmed every day.
