Eating processed meat is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer and, for about one-third of the general population who carry a common genetic variant, the risk of eating processed meat is even higher compared to those who do not.

“Our results, if replicated by other studies, may provide us with a greater understanding of the biology into colorectal carcinogenesis,” said Ulrike Peters, a senior author of the study and a research professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health.