Eating bacon and drinking alcohol can easily lead to stomach cancer

Eating processed meats like bacon and drinking alcohol are linked to stomach cancer, according to a new study.

Just 2 slices of bacon can easily cause stomach cancer

According to a new study by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), people who eat 50g of processed meat a day, equivalent to two slices of bacon, will increase their risk of stomach cancer.

People who drink three or more glasses of alcohol a day are also at increased risk, the study found. Conversely, there is evidence that eating citrus fruits may reduce the risk of stomach cancer.

The study defines processed meat as "meat that has been preserved by smoking, curing or salting, or by the addition of preservatives. Examples include ham, bacon, smoked beef and sausages."

Experts also point to "strong evidence" that consuming foods preserved by salting, such as pickled vegetables and salted (dried) fish, can also make you sick.

Every year in the UK, more than 7,000 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer, of which around 5,000 die. 80% of people are diagnosed when the cancer has spread throughout the body.

According to Cancer Research UK, doctors believe that well-treated patients can expect to live for two years after being diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer. The disease usually occurs in adults.

Processed meat has previously been linked to bowel cancer, while being overweight or obese has been linked to 10 different types of cancer.

Scientists also reported "some evidence that consumption of grilled or broiled meat and fish also increases the risk of stomach cancer".

“This new evidence gives us a clearer picture,” said Dr Rachel Thompson, head of research at WCRF. “We can now say, for the first time, that drinking alcohol and eating processed meat increases the risk of developing stomach cancer.”

According to VNN