Large European Study Finds Modest Links Between Processed and White Meat Intake and Rare Stomach/Esophageal Cancers

Researchers from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition tracked the diets and health outcomes of 450,112 people across Europe for an average of 14 years. The cohort included 131,426 men and 318,686 women. During the follow-up period, 876 participants developed stomach cancer and 215 developed esophageal adenocarcinoma.

For every extra 30 grams of processed meat consumed daily, overall stomach cancer risk rose 9% and esophageal adenocarcinoma risk rose 13% after adjustment for other lifestyle factors. A standard deli slice of ham averages 28 grams. An extra 20 grams of white meat such as chicken or turkey per day was associated with a 12% higher risk of cancer in the main body of the stomach.

The researchers recorded tumor location in the stomach and classified cancers as intestinal or diffuse type. For men, only processed meat showed a statistically significant link to stomach cancer. For women, both processed meat and white meat were linked to increased stomach cancer risk.

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer already classifies processed meat as a known human carcinogen, primarily because of its established connection to colorectal cancer. The new findings address upper digestive tract cancers where prior evidence had been less clear.

Researchers noted that the study relied on self-reported dietary data, which can introduce inaccuracies.

They said further investigation is needed to confirm the results and to examine interactions with other risk factors such as certain stomach infections. The study was published in the International Journal of Cancer.