• Dave@lemmy.nz
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    5 months ago

    I don’t think people started eating THAT much more bacon, although I am sure that all processed meats are a quick road to cancertown if you eat more than a tiny tiny amount

    Yeah, all processed meat has the same problem (nitrates), but I think you’re right, bacon consumption probably hasn’t increased enough to account for it all. I believe colorectal cancers have a very strong link with diet, though, so it’s probably bacon along with many other foods that all come together to amplify it.

    Is any of the 500% rise explained by better testing?

      • Dave@lemmy.nz
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        5 months ago

        Obesity is also a huge cancer risk factor (especially in under 55s) across most organs, and as we know obesity rates have increased a lot over recent decades.

        However, this may well be a symptom. Obesity may be from the bad diet, and the diet may be the real cancer driver.

        There are also studies connecting a lack if exercise with an increased cancer risk. But again it’s hard to tell if it’s an underlying cause.

        When I’ve dug into this before, it’s easy to find many studies connecting cancer and various foods or lifestyle choices, but it’s also easy to find conflicting studies, which may be an indication that things are more complex than they appear.