(P13-033-24) Processed Meat Consumption and Risk of Cancer in East Asia: A Systematic Scoping Review of Observational Studies

Objectives: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen. However, unlike Western countries, there is a lack of consensus regarding the association between processed meat consumption and cancer risks in East Asians. Therefore, we conducted a scoping review to address the question, 'Does the intake of processed meat influence cancer incidence in the East Asian population?'

Methods: This review was completed using the checklist of Preferred Reporting Items for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We reviewed studies published to October 2023 by using five databases (PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS). After removing duplicates, the search yielded 2,193 records. Studies that were observational studies, published in English, published in South Korea, China, and Japan, and examined the relationship between processed meat and cancer outcomes were included in this study.

Results: A total of 44 studies were eligible for inclusion (29 case-control and 16 cohort studies) and were published between 1988 and 2023. The major methods for assessment of processed meat were the Food Frequency Questionnaire (84.1% of studies), and processed meat included ham, bacon, sausage, salted dried meat, and cured meat. 61.0% of results reported no significant association between processed meat consumption and the risk of cancer. However, there was worse association between processed meat consumption and nasopharyngeal cancer (n=1), laryngeal cancer (n=1), esophageal cancer (n=1), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (n=3), gastric cancer (n=1), colon cancer (n=2), and bladder cancer (n=1). In particular, in the case of nasopharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, all observational studies conducted in the East Asian population showed an increased risk of cancer.

Conclusions: Despite a weak and lacking evidence base in East Asians, in some types of cancers, intake of processed meat showed an increased risk of cancer. As East Asian diets continue to become Westernized, more studies are needed to target East Asians.

Funding Sources: This research was supported by a National Cancer Center Research Grant.