Risk of breast cancer increases with red meat intake

Women who consume a high amount of red meat in early adulthood may be at increased risk of breast cancer later in life, a new US study suggests.

Researchers analysed data from 89,000 premenopausal women who first completed a questionnaire on diet in 1991. Over the 20-year study period, 2,830 women developed breast cancer.

The researchers estimated that higher intake of red meat was associated with a 22% increased risk of breast cancer overall.

By contrast, results showed a lower risk of cancer in women with diets including poultry, fish, nuts and legumes.