Cancer researcher says two common foods and drink have been found to increase cancer risk
A researcher who survived stage three ovarian cancer has issued a warning about two common foods and drinks found to increase cancer risk.
Dr Amy Morris, from Canada, was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 despite being fit and healthy, and having no family history of cancer.
Shortly after returning from her honeymoon in Italy and Greece, she noticed unexplained weight gain and severe, constant heartburn that would not go away.
She had an ultrasound and the scan revealed a huge tumor on her ovary measuring 21 by 10 centimeters.
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Following major surgery and chemotherapy, Dr Amy is now cancer-free and shares awareness on her social media channels.
Over on her YouTube page Dr. Amy - Cancer Researcher & Cancer Survivor, she said shared 'the two foods that are clearly linked to cancer'.
Processed meat
“Processed meats are not just regular meats. They've been altered, cured, or smoked,” Dr Amy, who has a doctorate degree in cancer care from the University of Toronto, College of Pharmacy, said.
Processed meats include bacon, sandwich ham, corned beef, sausages, hot dogs, salami and pepperoni.
Dr Amy went on: “Large-scale epidemiological studies have shown a clear link between eating higher amounts of processed meats and increasing the risk of cancer.
“Just 50g of processed meat per day is going to increase your risk of cancer by 18 percent.
“What we do know right now is that processed meats increase the risk of cancer. Period."
Cancer Research UK advises: "The less processed and red meat you eat, the lower your risk of bowel cancer. So, cutting down is good for you and your health, no matter how much you eat or ate in the past."
Alcohol
She added: “Alcohol is a group one carcinogen. That actually puts it in the same category as tobacco.
“Alcohol increases the risk of seven different types of cancer. If you have about one drink per day, that increases your risk of cancer by about nine percent.”
Dr Amy clarified that 'all alcohol is toxic to your body' and dismissed the 'old idea that red wine is somehow healthier for you than other types of alcohol, but that’s not true'.
“When we look at large amounts of population data, so hundreds of thousands of people and we look for patterns between their habits and the outcome of cancer, we do find that more alcohol equals more cancer,” she added.
“If you are choosing to drink alcohol, you now know the data around the cancer risk, and you can make an informed choice.”
The seven types of cancer alcohol causes are breast cancer, bowel cancer, mouth cancer, cancer of the oesophagus (food pipe), cancer of the larynx (voice box), cancer of the pharynx (upper throat) and liver cancer.
Cancer Research UK notes that 'the more you can cut down on alcohol, the more you can reduce your risk of cancer'.
It adds: "No drinking pattern is better or worse than another for cancer risk. It’s how much alcohol you drink that matters, and the more you drink the higher your risk of cancer."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Anish Vij