High intake of red and processed meat is associated with which cancers?

• A. Colorectal and breast cancers
• B. Lung cancer
• C. Prostate cancer
• D. Pancreatic cancer

Answer: (A)

High intake of red and processed meat is linked most clearly to colorectal cancer. Processed meat has strong, well-supported evidence of increasing colorectal cancer risk and is classified as carcinogenic to humans for this cancer. Red meat also shows a direction of risk for colorectal cancer, though the evidence is a bit less strong than for processed meat. Some studies have explored associations with breast cancer, but the evidence is less consistent and not as robust as for colorectal cancer. Associations with lung, prostate, or pancreatic cancers are not as well established. Therefore, the colorectal cancer link is the best-supported match for the question.