Cancer risk is lower for vegetarians but not vegans, study finds

However, vegetarians had nearly double the risk of a cancer in the esophagus. Read more at straitstimes.com.

LONDON – Vegetarian diets are linked with a lower risk of several cancers including pancreatic, breast and prostate, according to a study that found no similar benefit – and even a higher chance of colon cancer – among vegans.

Researchers found people on vegetarian diets had a lower risk of five cancers compared with their meat-eating counterparts – though vegetarians had nearly double the risk of a cancer in the esophagus called squamous cell carcinoma.

The pioneering study, published on Feb 27 in the British Journal of Cancer, looked at pooled data from more than 1.8 million people across three continents.

The findings come at a time of renewed focus on diet after President Donald Trump’s administration updated US nutrition guidelines with an emphasis on animal-based protein.

Concerns around the impact of ultra-processed foods – which the study did not look at – are also growing in the US and globally.

Though the study didn’t probe the cause of a higher or lower risk of certain cancers, researchers hypothesised that diets higher in fruit, vegetables, fiber and without processed meat could lower risks.