Eating processed meat can cause cancer, especially in the colon, and scientists have enough proof to say this — even if they're still figuring out exactly how it happens.

Eating red meat might increase your risk of getting colon cancer — scientists aren't totally sure, but there's some concerning evidence and a good biological reason to think it could be harmful.

Eating grilled or cooked red and processed meats, especially when well-done, might raise your chances of getting colorectal cancer, according to several big studies.

Eating processed meats like bacon or sausages might raise your chances of dying from cancer or getting certain types of cancer, according to big studies that combine lots of research.

We know that eating a lot of red and processed meats is linked to higher cancer risk, but scientists still don't fully understand how exactly that happens in the body.

Eating processed meats like bacon or sausages can expose you to certain chemicals (PAHs and HAAs) that might raise your chances of getting several types of cancer, not just colon cancer. The risk seems to depend on the type of cancer and how the studies were done.