In 2024, the American Cancer Society (ACS) predicts that more than 2 million new cases of cancer will affect Americans. Further, 600,000 Americans will die from cancer. While astronomical, these numbers are slightly lower than ACS’s predictions for 2023, a dip it attributes to factors such as lower smoking rates, earlier preventative measures, and better treatments.
What else can we do to get that number down? A growing body of research points to plant-based diets as a way to reduce the risk of certain cancers. However, Roxanne Becker, MD—medical editor and educator from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM)—points out that the ACS report does not include this dietary recommendation in its latest report.
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“Processed meat has been categorized as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization since 2015, and yet bacon…