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  • Writer's pictureWomen's Cancer Research Foundation

Processed Foods and Cancer

Updated: Jan 12


Cancer Research

Overly processed foods, including prepackaged soups, sauces, frozen pizza and ready-to-eat meals, may raise the risk of developing and dying from cancer, especially ovarian cancer.


In a new study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, researchers evaluated the association between eating ultra-processed foods and 34 different types of cancer among 197,426 people, over a 10-year period. Eating patterns were compared with medical records that listed both diagnoses and deaths from cancer. The researchers indicated that the amount of ultra-processed foods consumed by people in the study ranged from a low of 9.1% to a high of 41.4% of their diet. Each 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption was associated with a 2% increase in developing any cancer, and a 19% increased risk for being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.


Processed foods may raise the risk of developing and dying from cancer, especially ovarian cancer.

Moreover, deaths from cancers also increased; with each additional 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption, the risk of dying from any cancer increased by 6%, while the risk of dying from ovarian cancer rose by 30%.


About Women’s Cancer Research Foundation


The Women’s Cancer Research Foundation (WCRF) is one of the most active research organizations in the nation. We are dedicated to studying and evaluating novel treatments for women afflicted with breast, ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers. The WCRF persistently endeavors to make a difference in women’s lives by offering them hope, strength, and progress.



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