A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute supports limiting grilled, barbecued and smoked meat intake for individuals at risk for or with a previous diagnosis of breast cancer(1). The study specifically shows a significant link between high-temperature cooked meat and the survival time after breast cancer diagnosis.

Meats cooked at high temperature – charred meats, grilled, barbecued or smoked meats – contain high amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs), both known carcinogens(2). Cooking meats at high temperature, especially the charring of meat is well documented as a risk factor in developing various types of cancer, such as prostate(3), and colorectal cancer(4). The current study, specific to breast cancer survivors, might well be interpreted as a warning to other types of cancer survivors as well.

The study looked at 1508 women with breast cancer. All participants were interviewed regarding their consumption of four types of grilled, barbecued, and smoked meat during each decade of their life. At the five year follow-up after breast cancer diagnosis they repeated the same questionnaire. Findings showed that of the 597 deaths at the five-year follow-up, 40% were related to breast cancer, and that continued high intake of high-temperature cooked meats post-diagnosis conferred a 23% increased hazard of breast cancer specific mortality. The overall increased hazard for mortality in this group was 31%, further underlining the concern for these foods in a more general context.

Grilled, barbecued and smoked meats are often consumed in summer months during social events which may in themselves be very supportive to a sense of community and support benefiting cancer survivors. This is potentially an important consideration to be addressed with patients who are at risk for developing certain types of cancers, or have a previous cancer diagnosis.

References:

Gammon MD, Parada H Jr, Steck SE, et al. Grilled, Barbecued, and Smoked Meat Intake and Survival Following Breast Cancer.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2017; 109(6). doi: 10.1093/jnci/djw299.
Gammon MD,Steck SE, Gaudet MM, et al. Cooked meat and risk of breast cancer–lifetime versus recent dietary intake. Epidemiology. 2007;18(3): 373-82. doi: 10.1097/01.ede.0000259968.11151.06
John EM, Stern MC, Koo J. Meat consumption, cooking practices, meat mutagens, and risk of prostate cancer. Nutr Cancer. 2011;63(4):525-37. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2011.539311.
Sinha R, Kulldorff M, Rothman N, et al. Dietary intake of heterocyclic amines, meat-derived mutagenic activity, and risk of colorectal adenomas. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2001;10(5):559-62. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11352869

Node Smith, associate editor for NDNR, is a fifth year naturopathic medical student at NUNM, where he has been instrumental in maintaining a firm connection to the philosophy and heritage of naturopathic medicine amongst the next generation of docs. He helped found the first multi-generational experiential retreat, which brings elders, alumni, and students together for a weekend campout where naturopathic medicine and medical philosophy are experienced in nature. Three years ago he helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic ReVitalization (ANR), for which he serves as the board chairman. ANR has a mission to inspire health practitioners to embody the naturopathic principles through experiential education. Node also has a firm belief that the next era of naturopathic medicine will see a resurgence of in-patient facilities which use fasting, earthing, hydrotherapy and homeopathy to bring people back from chronic diseases of modern living; he is involved in numerous conversations and projects to bring about this vision.