Intake of processed meat, but not sodium, is associated with risk of colorectal cancer: Evidence from a large prospective cohort and two-sample Mendelian randomization

Elevated risk of colorectal cancer may be found among regular consumers of processed meat.

This research work studied processed meat consumption in connection with the subsequent development of colorectal cancer. Researchers collated data on the processed meat intake levels and incidence of colorectal cancer in a study population comprising of 415,524 men and women from the United Kingdom. 

Researchers observed that fondness for processed meat products escalated an individual's risk of acquiring colorectal cancer. The findings of this study revealed that high dietary ingestion of processed meats may trigger cancer cell formation and growth in the colon and rectum.