Red Meat Could Increase Risk for Breast Cancer

A new study suggests women who eat more red meat may have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer.

Researchers at Harvard University studied data from nearly 90,000 women aged 25 to 45 who completed surveys in 1991.

Their consumption of red meat varied from never to six or more servings a day.

A published study in 2006 found a preliminary link between red meat and breast cancer. Updated research from those women confirms those findings.

"When this relatively small relative risk is applied to breast cancer, which has a high lifetime incidence, the absolute number of excess cases attributable to red meat intake would be substantial, and hence a public health concern," the researchers wrote.

The reasons behind the correlation are not clear. Researchers suggest the release of carcinogens that occur when red meat is cooked at higher temperatures could be a contributing factor.