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Oncologist who cut open people for 17 years saw same foods in 80% of colon cancer patients
Home>Lifestyle
Updated 08:18 20 May 2026 GMT+1Published 11:18 19 May 2026 GMT+1

Oncologist who cut open people for 17 years saw same foods in 80% of colon cancer patients

Eating it causes a chemical process which damages the cells lining the bowel

James Moorhouse

James Moorhouse

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Colon cancer cases are massively on the rise across the world, particularly in young and otherwise healthy people.

The exact reason for this unsettling surge is yet to be identified but scientists seem almost certain that our diets are playing a significant role.

Bowel cancer is now the fourth most common form of cancer here in the UK and yet symptoms can often go under the radar, with many cases dismissed by doctors due to similarities with other stomach-related issues such as IBS.

Although doctors have long urged us to stay away from things like alcohol and red meat because of the increased risk of cancer, an oncologist with 17 years of experience is claimed to have identified one food which he thinks is one of the biggest contributors to colon cancer.

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Colon cancer numbers are on the rise (Getty Stock)
Colon cancer numbers are on the rise (Getty Stock)

After each surgery, he is said to have consulted with the patients' families about what they regularly ate, and claimed for 80 percent of the people it's the same food.

That food is sausages, hot dogs and smoked and processed meats.

Meanwhile, Dr Tim Titutan, a US-based doctor with a background in cancer research, told GB News: "Processing meat, such as through curing, smoking, salting, or chemical preservation, results in the formation of carcinogenic chemicals called Noc and Pah.

"A study was done showing that eating 50 grams of processed meat a day increased, the risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent

"I am not vegetarian, but I do make conscious decisions to lower the amount of processed meat I eat."

The World Health Organisation considers processed meat a Group 1 carcinogen, a group which also includes tobacco, alcohol, asbestos and radioactive plutonium.

Why does eating sausages and processed meat increase the risk of bowel cancer?

Cancer Research UK explains that nitrates and nitrites are chemical preservatives added to processed meat like sausages to keep it fresher for longer.

They're broken down in the body into N-nitroso chemicals (NOCs), which damage the cells lining the bowel, potentially causing bowel cancer

The health charity advises you to eat as little processed meat as possible. Other processed meats include bacon, sandwich ham, corned beef, hot dogs, salami and pepperoni

A 2020 study found that people eating 75g of processed or red meat per day, which is about one large sausage, had a 32 percent increased risk of developing bowel cancer.

(LADbible)
(LADbible)

The likes of James Van de Beek, Married at First Sight host Mel Schilling and Chadwick Boseman have all passed away from colon cancer in recent years, which shows how dangerous it can be even when affecting those under the age of 50.

NHS doctor Chris van Tulleken said: "There is a decade of evidence now that is extremely clear that it is ultra-processed food that is responsible, not just for pandemic weight gain and obesity, but also for a long list of other health problems, including early death."

Therefore, it seems clear that the vast majority of health professionals are in agreement that poor diet and ultra-processed foods can be responsible for illnesses such as colon cancer, with the prevalence of those foods in young people's diets perhaps one explanation as to why the cancer is becoming so common in patients under the age of 40.

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

Eating a moderate amount of processed and red meat can increase the risk of bowel cancer by 32 percent (Getty Stock Images)
Eating a moderate amount of processed and red meat can increase the risk of bowel cancer by 32 percent (Getty Stock Images)


According to the NHS, symptoms may include:

· Changes in your pooing habits

· Bleeding from your bottom

· Feeling like you need to poo even if you've just been to the toilet

· Tummy pain

· A lump in your tummy

· Bloating

· Losing weight without trying

· Feeling very tired for no reason

A GP appointment is recommended is you experience the above symptoms.

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.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock

Topics: Bowel cancer, Cancer, Health, NHS

James Moorhouse
James Moorhouse

James is a NCTJ Gold Standard journalist covering a wide range of topics and news stories for LADbible. After two years in football writing, James switched to covering news with Newsquest in Cumbria, before joining the LAD team in 2025. In his spare time, James is a long-suffering Rochdale fan and loves reading, running and music. Contact him via [email protected]

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@JimmyMoorhouse

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