Vegetarian Diet Linked to Lower Risk of Five Cancers, Large UK-US Study Finds

An Oxford-led study of 1.8 million people finds vegetarians are up to a third less likely to develop five cancers than meat eaters, with 21% lower risk of pancreatic cancer, 9% lower risk of breast cancer, 12% lower risk of prostate cancer, 28% lower risk of kidney cancer and 31% lower risk of multiple myeloma; however vegetarians and vegans show higher risks for oesophageal and bowel cancers, potentially due to nutrient gaps. The researchers suggest meat itself may be the trigger and advocate diets focused on whole grains, pulses, fruit and vegetables while avoiding processed meat; the study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, analyzed UK/US data over two decades and was funded by the World Cancer Research Fund.