Is YOUR bacon cancerous?

Crisp, delicious and... cancerous?

Cook's Country website

Crisp, delicious and… cancerous?

Annie Ackerman, Ranger Review Reporter

The news that the World Health Organization has placed bacon and other processed meats on the list of “cancer-causing foods” has put most of America into a frenzy. American citizens believe that they have sealed their fate when they ate that slice of bacon this morning.

Let it be known, that too much of anything is unhealthy for you. Fruit, dairy or even water will kill you if it is consumed in excess. It is not surprising that bacon, one of the least healthy foods, can possibly cause cancer.

Some of the leading risks for colorectal cancer, or cancer of the intestines,  are age, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and alcohol abuse. A diet that involves many red meats, not just bacon, is included as a leading risk for the disease.

According to the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine, 53,000 Americans die each year of colorectal cancer. Though that appears to be a large number, that is less than 0.0166% of the population, and bacon isn’t even the only cause. (“Bacon Causes Cancer.” The Physicians Committee. N.p., 30 Apr. 2014.)

Let’s put some stats into context: 21% of bowel cancers are caused by red meats, whereas 86% of lung cancers are caused by tobacco. 19% of all cancers are caused by tobacco, and 3% of all cancers give the blame to red meat. Tobacco and smoking are much more likely to cause cancer than eating bacon. (“Processed Meats Do Cause Cancer – WHO – BBC News.” BBC News. N.p., n.d)

By eating two slices of bacon a day, you increase your chances of getting colorectal cancer in your lifetime by about 1%: from a 5% chance to a 6% chance. By smoking, you increase the risk of lung cancer by about 2,500%.

With this new discovery, America feels that it is a death sentence to eat a BLT sandwich, however, that may not be the case. Despite the warnings of a possibility, red meat has its nutritional benefits.

For instance, red meat is rich in iron, which is a nutrient many people are lacking. It also contains beneficial amount of zinc, which keeps the immune system working properly.
The next time you eat a slice of bacon, don’t fear cancer. That indulgent slice of bacon that you ate this morning or that BLT you may have for lunch most likely will not give you cancer. If you are worried about developing cancer, avoid the use of  tobacco and smoking.