Generous intake of processed meats may contribute significantly to the high colorectal cancer mortality in China and other parts of the world.

This study looked at how processed meat consumption influenced the burden of colorectal cancer mortality in China. Researchers reviewed data and evidence from relevant scientific publications.

Researchers discovered that high dietary ingestion of processed meats was responsible for approximately 4.009% and 2.491% of colorectal cancer deaths recorded in Chinese men and women respectively each year from 1990 to 2019. This study recommended that "gradually decreasing the intake of processed meat could be an effective way to reduce colorectal cancer mortality."