Consuming processed meat may not be as hazardous as smoking

Consuming processed meats, like hot dogs, sausages and bacon and red meat can cause colorectal cancer in humans, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) experts.

The report released on Monday by WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), also added that there found some link between pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer and red meat. However, the IARC experts also reveal the risk is not that high and people should not be worried about it.

IARC did not compare the "level of risk associated with different substances" in every given category and, therefore does not suggest that consuming meat is as hazardous as smoking for your health. According to reports, experts not involved in the study say, the findings only suggests to moderate one's consumption of meat.

"Nobody is telling people not to eat meat," said David Wallinga, senior health officer for health and environmental advocacy group Natural Resources Defence Council. "What they're saying is if you eat it, eat less of it and buy it from sources that have produced it better." Other experts also reveal the risk of meat causing cancer is far less than smoking and alcohol

Experts places meat in its Group 1 category, which meant it found "sufficient evidence" that it could cause cancer. The IARC committee that issued the report, consisted of 22 public health, cancer experts from 10 countries. The group that acts as an adviser to the WHO, reviewed 800 studies on cancer in humans. They focus on Lifestyle and environmental factors that could be a contributing factor to the disease.