Meat-Cancer Relationship

March 15, 2009

“Analysis of data from 52,700 men and women shows that those who did not eat meat had significantly fewer cancers overall than those who did.”

Source: The BBC “Vegetarians Get Fewer Cancers”

Posted by Elaine Vigneault | Filed Under Miscellaneous 

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7 Responses to “Meat-Cancer Relationship”

  1. Keith on March 15th, 2009 11:23 pm

    I think it’s also the case that vegetarians/vegans eat less processed industrial junkfood. I haven’t read that actual study, only the article, but I think it’s equally plausible that the extent to which one eats processed industrial junk sugars, additives, and preservatives is the extent to which one is at risk for cancer, and the reason may not be the meat at all.

    The thing is Elaine, that the reason you are vegan is fundamentally a moral reason. Arguments about health and so forth are specious and detract from the main issue. Nothing will get resolved on the basis of this or that study since the results of various studies are constantly vascillating.

    The level this has to be debated on is the moral/philosophical level. Even though I personally disagree with your viewpoint, I acknowledge the importance of each side to having its moral cards laid out plainly on the table.

  2. Elaine Vigneault on March 16th, 2009 12:09 am

    Keith, that’s not true. I’m vegan for ethical AND health reasons. To be certain, the health reasons help keep me vegan when I’m tempted to fall off the wagon.

    The study results are not “constantly vascillating.” Just follow the money. See who funds what study and you’ll start to realize why some studies reach the absurd conclusions they do.

    That said, there is a practical reason to keep the issue in the ethical sphere and not health: there are laws restricting people who are not health professionals from giving health advice. But no one is regulating (and thus censoring) ethicists.

  3. Keith on March 16th, 2009 1:07 am

    That’s surprising to hear you say that. I know it’s not realistic, but if I were to convince you that animal products were 100% healthful, you would occasionally eat them? That’s the implication. I doubt that, but of course I don’t know you that well.

    If you believe that animals and humans are moral equivalents as most animal rights advocates do, it’s strange to be “tempted” by non-vegan food. I’m never at all tempted by human flesh. Then again, we don’t have human flesh burgers sold on every street corner and marketed by every medium. At least not that I’m aware of anyway. (But I wouldn’t put it past the bastards.)

  4. beforewisdom on March 16th, 2009 6:48 am

    I don’t think this is a scholarly source, but it is close to similar lists that I have seen over the decades:

    Top 10 causes of premature death for Americans:

    1. Diseases of Heart 28.5%
    2. Malignant Neoplasms (cancer) 22.8%
    3. Cerebrovascular Diseases (stroke) 6.7%
    4. Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases 5.1%
    5. Accidents 4.4%
    * Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents (41% of all accidents)
    * Poisoning (16% of all accidents)
    * Fall (15% of all accidents)
    6. Diabetes Mellitus 3.0%
    7. Influenza and Pneumonia 2.7%
    8. Alzheimer’s Disease 2.4%
    9. Nephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome and Nephrosis (kidney diseases) 1.7%
    10. Septicemia (blood poisoning) 1.4%

    Basically, American’s love affair cars, smoking and animal products is killing them ( as well as the planet ).

    Risks can be reduced, not eliminated, for numbers 1,2,3,6 & 9 with low processed, high fiber, low fat, whole foods vegan diet.

  5. beforewisdom on March 16th, 2009 7:11 am

    Keith, Elaine;

    Its been almost 15 years since I went vegan and almost 29 years since I went vegetarian. I’m not an expert, though I have been a fan of nutrition reading in that time.

    You both have good points to make.

    Vegans tend to think that the absence of meat gives them a shield. Meat is a major contributor to the top killers, as is dairy. Get a copy of “The China Study”, no shortage of strong, scientific proof.

    However, the absence of animal products alone does not a healthier diet make. Eating a lot of whole grains, legumes, fresh vegetable and fruits do. Eating a lot of faux meats ( wheat gluten and/or soy flour in reality ), bagels, pasta, and iceberg lettuce salads does not. I have seen studies that people, even informed health buffs, will consistently underestimate the calories they eat and overestimate the quality of their food choices unless they record what they actually eat.

  6. Ed Miller on March 16th, 2009 3:19 pm

    What’s wrong with iceberg lettuce (besides the fact that people often smother it in blue cheese dressing)?

  7. Elaine Vigneault on March 17th, 2009 12:31 pm

    before,
    Yes, I’m a fan of The China Study and I actually sent copies of the book to many of my meat-eating family members. Recently, Ed and I saw Dr. Campbell speak at a McDougall seminar. He makes great points and the book is very compelling and well researched.

    :)

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