Jun 15, 2005
Red meat linked to increased risk of bowel cancer
The UK media today reported that red meat increases the risk of bowel cancer: e.g. Telegraph
35% increased risk screamed the headlines. But, as fascinating as the finding is none of the reports I saw mentioned the incidence rate and how low that actually is compared to, say, deaths from road accidents or obesity-related heart disease.
So, a 35% increased risk of something not very risky is not necessarily as significant as the cancer research organisations are claiming. Moreover, just one portion of any fish once a week can reduce the risk by 30%. So, presumably you can eat bacon, burgers and bangers 5 days a week and fish at weekends to almost cancel the positive effect with a negative.
@Lotus That’s exactly the point I was making, thanks for reiterating for us.
How low that is compared to road fatalities? There’s no such thing as “low”. It only says the cancer risk is increased by 35% our of 100%. If someone can’t understand that, they need to take math again. It’s very simple to understand. At least for me. Numbers like this aren’t a problem, as I’m often reading about science.