Perhaps you’ve read the recent articles on the risks of eating bacon and hot dogs. A review published this month in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute concludes, “Increased consumption of processed meat is associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.”

It also concludes, “the possibility that the association may be confounded or modified by other factors cannot be ruled out.”

Confused?

Those eating the most processed meat were taking on about two servings of meats and beans, based on the U.S. Agriculture Department?s ?My Pyramid? food pyramid. Processed meat includes bacon, sausage, hot dogs, salami, ham, and smoked or cured meat. So, some moderation here would be good.

However, the reviewers could not account for the contribution that infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria might have on their findings. About 1% of those so infected develop cancer.

For more perspective on this and other risk factors for stomach cancer read the WebMD article.

Photo: News-Medical.net

8/17/06 9:54 JR