Does Meat Cause Cancer?

So, in light of the recent chaotic news about meat being a potential carcinogen I have been asked to do a post about it. First off, let’s talk about what the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) really said. The IARC ranks the potential of cancer causing agents in 5 categories¹:

·         Group 1: Carcinogenic to humans

·         Group 2A: Probably carcinogenic to humans

·         Group 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans

·         Group 3: Unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans

·         Group 4: Probably not carcinogenic to humans

Now, according to the press release, red meat is considered as Group 2A, probably carcinogenic to humans. Now, please don’t stop reading here and thinking your suspicions were confirmed.  According to the article this was based on “limited evidence” after the review of science literature from ten different countries “convened by the IARC Monographs Programme.” Processed meat (hot dogs, ham, corned beef etc.) is classified in the Group 1. This is based on “sufficient evidence.” ² Dr. Christopher Wild, director of IARC, said that even with these findings “at the same time, red meat has nutritional value.” Head of the Monographs Programme Dr. Kurt Straif, stated that the risk of developing colorectal cancer due to the consumption of processed meat remains small. What the IARC released is very confusing.

Notice that the decision was made based on the review of literature. From up to 20 years ago². Betsy Booren from the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) stated that during the meeting with the IARC it was clear that the panelists were pushing for a specific result despite the old, “self-reported” data. Let’s look at another problem, the IARC has rated practically everything we do as carcinogenic.

Group 1:

·         Breathing air

·         Sitting near a sun-filled window

·         Drinking wine (or any alcoholic beverages)

·         Mineral oils

·         Working with leather (dust from leather)

·         Having the occupation of a painter

·         Eating Chinese style fish

·         Woodworking

Group 2A

·         Having a career as a hair dresser

·         Having a career doing shiftwork

·         Eating grilled food

·         Glass manufacturing

Group 2B

·         Drinking coffee

·         Applying aloe vera after a sunburn

·         Coconut oil

·         Carpentry

·         Welding³

Here’s the deal. EVERYONE HAS TO BREATHE. According to them, we all have the same potential of getting cancer based on breathing air. My city may not be as “polluted” as yours or vice versa, but I also eat meat, apply aloe vera, drink coffee, eat fish and grilled and fried foods, sit in the sun, and use coconut oil. And that isn’t a complete list folks. I’m surprised I’m not dead yet based on those “facts”!

A petition filed by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), calls on the USDA to stop distributing hot dogs and processed meats to students through the National School Lunch Program. This would cause the lunch programs to become increasingly expensive, and a lot of them are already struggling. NAMI issued a statement in response to this petition. They said that PRCM is using the IARC report “as another tool to force meat off the plates of schoolchildren.” In America, we like to offer choices. NAMI also states that if you no longer want your child to eat fresh or processed meats, then let them take advantage of the vegetarian options that are ALWAYS available. If you choose to make that decision, then that is great, but don’t take options away from kids that the World Health Organization approves in a balanced diet. NAMI stands by the nutritional value of meat⁴, as do I, and so should you.

Let me know in the comments below what you think about eating meat, and whether or not you will continue to support meat in our school systems, or if you have any suggestions on what you would like to read about next!

1.       Gabbett, Rita J. "Meatingplace.com." Meatingplace.com. N.p., 26 Oct. 2015. Web. 31 Oct. 2015. <http://meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/62196?loginSuccess>.

2.       "IARC Monographs Evaluate the Consumption of Red Meat and Processed Meat." (2015): n. pag. World Health Organization, 26 Oct. 2015. Web. 31 Oct. 2015. <https://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2015/pdfs/pr240_E.pdf>.

3.       "IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans."IARC Monographs-classifications. IARC, n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015. <http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/latest_classif.php>.

4.       Keefe, Lisa M. "Meatingplace.com." Meatingplace.com. N.p., 30 Oct. 2015. Web. 31 Oct. 2015. <http://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/62317>.