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Study: Eating Red Meat May Increase Risk For Breast Cancer

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A new study published by Harvard University researchers suggests those who eat a lot of red meat in early adulthood could be at a higher risk for breast cancer.

The study, which was published Wednesday on BMJ.com, also states those who eat more legumes (like peas, beans and lentils), poultry, nuts and fish may be at a lower risk later in life.

The researchers looked at data from more than 88,000 pre-menopausal women from ages 26 to 45 who completed a questionnaire on their dieting habits in 1991. The initial results of the study were published in 2006, pointing to a possible link between eating red meat and breast cancer after 12 years.

The new study and research published Wednesday confirms those findings.

In the past, medical experts have made the connection between red meat and colon or pancreatic cancer but not in breast cancer.

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