Processed meat consumption and squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus in a large case-control study in Uruguay

Indulgence in processed meat may trigger the development of esophageal cancer.

This study investigated the processed meat-esophageal cancer connection hypothesis. Researchers studied dietary and health data obtained from 1,492 healthy individuals from Uruguay and 876 patients with esophageal cancer. 

Researchers observed that a large proportion of participants with esophageal cancer were avid consumers of processed meat products, including salted and cured meat. The data from this study suggest that consistent ingestion of processed meat may facilitate the onset of esophageal cancer.