BACON rolls are a cancer risk - and should be avoided completely. That's the stark warning from a major cancer study.

BACON rolls are a cancer risk - and should be avoided completely.

That's the stark warning from a major cancer study.

Researchers concluded that processed meat, including ham and bacon, was such a risk factor for bowel cancer that people should avoid it.

The landmark study also found that body fat and obesity were far more closely linked to cancer than generally realised.

The scientists say there is "convincing" evidence that excess body fat can cause six different types of common cancers, including those affecting the breast, bowel and pancreas.

They warn that to guard against cancer, everyone should be at the lower end of the healthy weight range.

The World Cancer Research Fund report is based on an in-depth analysis of 7000 cancer studies from around the world since the 1960s. It includes recommendations from 21 world-renowned scientists.

It's the second major investigation of the causes of cancer to be conducted by the WCRF.

Since the first report was published in 1997, the number of types of cancer for which there is "convincing" evidence of body fat being a causal factor has risen from one to six.

Previously, "high body mass" was found to be a likely cause of endometrial cancer - cancer of the womb lining.

The new report says there is powerful evidence that excess body fat is not only a trigger for endometrial cancer, but also oesophagus, pancreatic, bowel, post-menopausal breast, and kidney cancers.

A specific strong link is said to exist between fat around the abdomen and bowel cancer.

There is also a "probable" connection between body fat and gall bladder cancer, and abdominal fat and pancreatic, post-menopausal breast, and endometrial cancer, the evidence suggests.

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, who chaired the expert panel, said: "We are recommending that people aim to be as lean as possible within the healthy range. "This might sound difficult, but this is what the science is telling us more clearly than ever before.

"The fact is that putting on weight can increase your cancer risk, even if you are still within the healthy range - so avoid weight gain."