While some preventable factors are more obvious, like smoking and drinking high levels of alcohol, others are more surprising. There’s one food in particular that’s been flagged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a carcinogen, and healthcare providers who work with cancer patients say they’re wary of eating this food themselves.
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Experts say eating this food very rarely is unlikely to lead to cancer, but it’s something that shouldn’t be a regular part of your diet. Here’s why.
It’s processed meat. “The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified processed red meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, placing it in the same category as tobacco smoking and asbestos,” says Dr. Steven Lee-Kong, MD, chief of colorectal surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center. “This classification means there is ‘sufficient evidence’ that consuming processed meat causes cancer in humans, specifically colorectal cancer.”
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As a result, “I generally avoid them,” says Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, MD, oncologist and author of Eat Your Ice Cream.
What To Do When It Comes To Processed Meats
Still, “for individuals interested in minimizing cancer risk, cutting out or minimizing consumption of processed meats is a good decision,” Dr. Talcott explains, and Dr. Lee-Kong agrees, adding, “Think of them as a rare treat, not a daily staple."
If you’re focused on protein, Dr. Thanki suggests having poultry, fish or seafood, legumes, eggs and dairy products. “For similar convenience as picking up a pack of pepperoni, try hummus, nut butters, canned fish or home-baked turkey,” he says.
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Dr. Steven Lee-Kong, MD, chief of colorectal surgery at Hackensack University Medical CenterDr. Ketan Thanki, MD, colorectal surgeon with the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach, CADr. Tracy Crane, PhD, RDN, director of lifestyle medicine, prevention and digital health at University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer CenterDr. Ezekiel Emanuel, MD, oncologist and author of Eat Your Ice CreamDr. Wesley Talcott, MD, a radiation oncologist at Northwell’s Lenox Hill HospitalFink, H., et al. Global and Regional Cancer Burden Attributable to Modifiable Risk Factors to Inform Prevention. Nature Medicine. February 3, 2026Hence then, the article about we asked 5 oncology experts what they never eat and they all said the same thing was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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