You may have heard the Cancer Project's
claim that processed meats cause cancer. But
did you know that the Cancer Project is funded
and operated by a vegan, animal rights group?
And that the Cancer Project's claims are not
supported by science?
FACT:
The alleged link between processed meats and
cancer is not supported by the full body of
scientific research.
The Cancer
Project cites a controversial and inconclusive
report by the World Cancer Research Fund as
representing "consensus" when it has been
widely challenged by scientists. Studies
showing no connection between processed meats
and cancer were not included in the WCRF report
cited by the Cancer Project. Numerous studies
and experts show that processed meats are safe
and nutritious and that nitrite in meats is
safe and has health benefits.
FACT:
The Cancer Project is a Vegan, Animal Rights
Group
The Cancer Project is
funded and operated by the animal rights group
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
(PCRM), a vegan, animal rights group whose
views are closely aligned with PETA (People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animals). The widely
respected American Medical Association has
called PCRM's past dietary recommendations
"irresponsible and potentially
dangerous." The Cancer Project ad
campaign is factually inaccurate and is
aimed at scaring parents and school systems out
of feeding children processed meats.
FACT:
Harvard Data Showing No Relationship Between
Meat and Colon Cancer Not
Considered
One of the largest
studies ever done on red meat and colon
cancer - a 2004 Harvard School of Public
Health analysis involving over 725,000 men
and women and presented at the 2004 American
Association for Cancer Research
Conference - showed no relationship
between meat and colon cancer. Yet the pooling
analysis used in this study, "Meat and fat
intake and colorectal cancer risk: A pooled
analysis of 14 prospective studies" was not
factored into WCRF's 2007 report.
This federally funded data shows that
red meat and processed meat are not associated
with colon cancer and uses what is considered
perhaps the most reliable approach to analyzing
relationships: pooling original data together
and analyzing it.
FACT:
Check with a Credible Doctor, Not an Animal
Rights Group, about The Cancer Project's
Meat/Cancer Allegations
The
causes of cancer are extremely complex. Just as
consumers need to eat a healthy, balanced diet,
they need balanced information. When it comes
to cancer, check with credible health sources
like your doctor, dietician or the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
You can be assured that they will tell you that
a healthy diet can include processed
meats.
Read the studies about meat
and nutrition that PCRM/The Cancer Project
chose to ignore.
Read what doctors, nutritionists and
scientists are saying.
"Questioning Popular Notions
about Meat and Cancer"
Food Safety
Magazine, October - November 2008
Learn the truth about the Alleged Hot Dog and Cancer
Connection "Cured
Meats Beneficial"
Feedstuffs, July 20,
2009
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