Health · 6 hours ago

Processed meat chemicals may cause rising bowel cancer in under-50s

Chemicals in processed meats like bacon and ham are a main suspect for the global increase in early-onset bowel cancer since 1990. Professor Chris Elliott believes nitrates or nitrites, which give ham and bacon their pink colour, are a key factor. UK rates are among the fastest rising, up about 60%, with around 2,900 cases in people aged 25-49 yearly.

By BriefTea Editorial · 5 October 2026 at 13:15

Reported by The Telegraph · How we write briefs