Britons cut meat intake following cancer fears

London, November 28: The fear of getting cancerdefine from eating meat has caused an increased number of Britons, especially older people, to cut down on processed meat intake.

According to the latest survey, nearly one in 10 people feel motivated in their effort to cut down on intake of processed meats including bacon.

The findings of a World Cancerdefine Research Fund report published last year revealed the fact that eating two rashers of bacon and two sausages a day could increase the risk developing bowel cancer by 63 percent.

In an online survey involving 2164 people, at least a quarter of those questioned admitted to having included more vegetables and fruits in their diet following the wide media coverage of the report.

With obesity being a potential risk leading to six forms of cancer, nearly 18 percent of the people said they were making sincere effort to keep a close watch on their weight.

Smoking and alcohol were the other factors that could fuel the risk of bowel cancer, revealed a bowel cancer charity. “There are many other factors that might contribute to an increased risk of bowel cancer, such as smoking and an excess of alcohol, which should not be ignored.”

The report also pointed out the vital role played by other key determining factors such as diet and lifestyle which could either improve or prove detrimental to one’s health.

A close link between heavy consumption of red meat and bowel cancer motivated 11 percent of people to reduce its intake.

The elders aged 55 and above felt more inclined to cut down on their intake of processed meat than their younger counterparts. Nearly 37 percent over-55 people admitted to having tried reducing their meat intake while only 6 percent of the younger people were doing this.

The head of communications for the World Cancer Research Fund, Richard Evans said: “This survey shows that if people are told how they can reduce their risk of cancer then many of them will make changes.”

The survey found that following increased media coverage highlighting the growing importance of lifestyle changes and diet for better health, nearly two in five people were trying to be more physically active, and 9 percent were trying to cut down on alcohol.

“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,” feel the experts.

No doubt, the health messages have resulted in increasing awareness of people towards adopting a physically active lifestyle with focus on good diet, there is room for more concerted efforts. A combination of good diet, an active lifestyle and saying farewell to smoking and alcohol could cut the risk of bowel cancer to a great extent.

“There is increasing evidence that lifestyle issues such as poor diet, obesity and lack of exercise are directly linked to an increased risk of the disease,” a spokesman for Bowel Cancer UK commented.

"We recommend that people who eat a diet high in processed meats cut down and eat more fruit and vegetables, but it is also important to remember to not focus on this alone.

“There are many other factors that might contribute to an increased risk of bowel cancer, such as smoking and an excess of alcohol, which should not be ignored.”