Hot Dogs & Colorectal Cancer Risk
- Famed competitive eater Joey Chestnut will not be taking part in this year’s Nation’s Famous 4th of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest due to his partnership with a vegan hot dog brand.
- However, while he may have violated Nathan’s rules, finding alternatives to popular processed foods, like hot dogs, is a health-conscious idea — especially considering the link to cancer.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that processed meats, like hot dogs, are “carcinogenic to humans” and linked to colorectal cancer.
- In a press release from the WHO’s cancer agency, known as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the organization noted daily consumption of approximately 50 grams of processed meat, which is almost equal to one hot dog, increases one’s risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent.
The 16-time champion of Nation’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest confirmed he wont be taking part in the annual Coney Island event in a recent “X” post, writing, “I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years I’m banned from the Nathan’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest. I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title.
Read MoreChestnut, who impressively consumed 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes last year, concluded, “Sadly, this is the decision Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment.View this post on Instagram
“To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!”
Chestnut later informed his fans he’ll still be eating all-beef hotdogs on the 4th of July, but instead of Coney Island, he’ll be showing off his eating skills to his fans at the Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, Texas.
Cancer Risk Linked to Processed Foods
Meanwhile, Chestnut’s hot dog consumption reminds us of the connection between processed foods, like hotdogs, and colorectal cancer risk.
Colorectal cancer is a disease where cells in the rectum or colon grow out of control.
Helping You Understand How Your Environment Impacts Your Health
According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans eat more than 20 billion hot dogs every year, with most of the intake occurring between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
With that in mind, it’s important to point out that the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that processed meat, like hot dogs, has been dubbed “carcinogenic to humans” and has been linked to colorectal cancer.
In a press release from the WHO’s cancer agency, known as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), daily consumption of approximately 50 grams of processed meat, which is almost equal to one hot dog, increases one’s risk of colorectal cancer by 18 percent.
View this post on Instagram
“For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed,” Dr. Kurt Straif, Head of the IARC Monographs Program, said in a statement in the 2015 report.
“In view of the large number of people who consume processed meat, the global impact on cancer incidence is of public health importance.”
Dr. Christopher Wild, Director of IARC, also said in a statement, “These findings further support current public health recommendations to limit intake of meat.”
“At the same time, red meat has nutritional value. Therefore, these results are important in enabling governments and international regulatory agencies to conduct risk assessments, in order to balance the risks and benefits of eating red meat and processed meat and to provide the best possible dietary recommendations.”
According to the American Cancer Society, processed meat includes hot dogs, ham, bacon, sausage, and some deli meats.
It refers to meat that has been treated in some way to preserve or flavor it. Processes include salting, curing, fermenting, and smoking. Red meat includes beef, pork, lamb, and goat.
Dr. Paul Oberstein, Medical Oncologist at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, also previously informed SurvivorNet that people should be wary of eating too much red meat.
He said, “We recommend reducing the amount of red meat in the diet, reducing the intake of alcohol, and making sure that you eat a healthy and balanced diet.
“Anything that goes in through your mouth, or otherwise, goes into the stomach, and goes through the intestines can overwhelm the ability of the body to what’s called detoxify — to remove the toxins from that food or drink — and that can cause the cells in the lining of the intestine, or the cells in the liver, to be damaged.”
It’s those cells that can cause cancer risk. “Once those cells are damaged, they are at higher risk of having mutations, that can then increase a person’s risk of colon cancer,” said Dr. Oberstein.
Additionally, Dr. Heather Yeo, colorectal surgeon and surgical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview, “We know red meat, processed meat puts you at risk. In countries where they eat a lot of processed foods, like in Japan where they eat a lot of cured meats, there is high incidence of gastrointestinal cancers.”
Understanding Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer, is very treatable and even curable if caught early. Colon cancer screenings can involve at-home tests such as Cologuard, but a colonoscopy is more effective, according to SurvivorNet experts
A colonoscopy involves a long, thin tube attached to a camera to examine the colon and rectum. If no polyps (pre-cancerous growths) are discovered, the following screening won’t be needed for ten years. Polyps are small growths in the colon that are not yet cancerous but can potentially develop into cancer.
“When we see a polyp, we actually physically take the polyp out through the colonoscope,” Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon and Director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, explained.
The cancer starts when abnormal lumps called polyps grow in the colon or rectum. It takes up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become full-blown cancer, according to SurvivorNet experts.
The most poignant signature of colon cancer includes a change in bowel habits. This may include constipation or diarrhea due to changes in the size or shape of bowel movements. A change in stool color, mainly black or tarry stools, can indicate bleeding from a tumor that lies deep in the colon.
When to Screen for Colon Cancer?
The American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for a colorectal screening from 50 to 45.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines suggest colon cancer screenings should begin at 45 years old. This is in response to the increase we see in colon cancer diagnoses in younger adults. However, many insurance companies still do not cover the cost of screenings for those under 50. In the past, the disease had predominantly been found in adults 50 years or older, but for those predisposed to getting it at a younger age, these new guidelines could help catch it earlier.
Other symptoms can be harder to pinpoint, such as abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss. Finally, some tumors bleed a small amount over a long period, resulting in anemia (low red blood cell count) that is picked up on blood work.
The best and most complete way of screening is a colonoscopy every ten years. You should get your first colonoscopy at age 45, but the guidelines differ depending on your risk category.
If you have a close relative who has colon cancer, a rule of thumb is to get screened ten years before their age of diagnosis to make sure any growths or cancers are caught early.
If you have several family members who had colon cancer or family members who got it at a young age (less than 50 years old), it may be necessary to undergo genetic screening.
If you have a lot of polyps on your colonoscopy or if you have had colon cancer previously, you will need a colonoscopy every 3 to 5 years.
Importance of a Healthy Diet
Keeping a nutrient-rich diet has many benefits no matter your age or health battle you may be facing. However, for cancer warriors, your diet can have a big impact even during cancer treatment.
Krista Maruschak, a registered dietician at the Cleveland Clinic says your diet while undergoing chemotherapy is critical.
“When the patient is in chemotherapy, we really just want to manage their side effects, and we want to maintain their weight,” Maruschak previously told SurvivorNet.
Maruschak recommends six small meals throughout the day. She suggested adding things like olive oil, avocado, dairy, peanut butter, nuts, and hummus to boost calories and protein.
Major Reduction in Cancer Risk by Following Old Standbys Diet and Exercise
A study published in 2022 showed the association between ultra-processed food consumption and colorectal cancer risk among adults. The study looked at the diets of over 200,000 men and women over a period of up to 28 years, and found a clear link between ultra-processed foods and colorectal cancer, the third most diagnosed cancer in the U.S. in men.
Ultra-processed foods include pre-packaged products like soups, sauces, frozen pizzas, microwave meals, and foods like hot dogs, ham, salami, bacon, French fries, sodas, sausages, store-bought cookies, cakes, candy, ice cream, and many more.
How to Eat Healthy
Regular consumption of unhealthy foods also leads to obesity and cardiovascular disease and can impact one’s overall mortality rate. Try to make healthy food choices as often as possible.
Instead of cakes, cookies, and hot dogs, opt for healthier choices at the grocery store and while ordering takeout. Steer towards leafy greens, “good” fats like salmon and almonds, antioxidant-rich fruits like blueberries, superfoods, like green tea, and more. Your body and your long-term health will thank you!
When it comes to beverages, think beyond sugary drinks and consider how alcohol impacts your health. The National Cancer Institute reported 4% of cancer cases in 2020 can be attributed to alcohol consumption.
Dig This: The Obstacles to Eating Healthy, and What You Can Do About
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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