Today’s Associated Press is reporting on the findings of a study just released about the relationship of meat consumption and breast cancer. There have been many unsuccessful studies that have tried to corratlate diet to breast cancer. These researchers acknowledge this in their text. This study focuses on hormone receptor status.

It’s only in recent history that the rates of breast cancer have increased, although people’s consumption of red meat has actually gone down.

So, what’s changed? The study does distinguish between unprocessed meat and highly processed and preserved meat products. In fact from the perspective of estrogen postivie and estrogen negative results, they showed a protective effect or lower risk in women eating bacon for estrogen negative and no effect on estrogen positive.

Further, they showed a dramatic increase in risk from high consumption of processed luncheon meats and sausages. Confused? You should be. Although the study has a banner headline that says meat increases breast cancer risk, their conclusions report that consumption of beef, pork, or lamb when eaten in sandwiches or with other foods had NO effect on breast cancer risk. This study controlled for women who smoke or use birth control hormones, but didn’t for past use. What about non ionizing and ionizing radiation exposure or environmental toxins? How about hormone balance? Many things in concert contribute to breast cancer promotion.

In fact, what this study really points to is the danger of preserved processed meats and the use of growth stimulants and other hormones in industrially raised meat.

Toxins do collect in the fat of animals and plants so that a low fat diet may have a protective effect on cancer risk but reduced fat consumption can lead to lowered immunity, an inability to utilize fat soluble vitamins, lower native hormone production, and depression.

Certainly it makes sense for you to buy only unprocessed and free range meats.

For the researchers, it’s easier to focus on behaviors that increase cancer risk than on the responsibility of industry and public health policies to protect us from the toxins and hormones that are destroying our food source! Now that’s a banner headline!