UK Pharmacist Warns: Salted Fish Causes Cancer

Hussain Abdeh, superintendent pharmacist at online pharmacy Medicine Direct in the United Kingdom, people should avoid eating salted fish, Adam Chapman reported for Daily Express.

Photo Insert: Salted fish hanging in a market in China

“Salted fish (Chinese-style) is a known cause of cancer," warned Abdeh. Chinese-style salted fish is popular in Chinese populations along the south China coast and Southeastern Asian countries, where it is often used as an accompaniment to other dishes or rice.

Salted fish is prepared by salting, brining, dry-salting, pickle curing, or a combination of these treatments. Abdeh said fish served this way is classed as a Group 1 carcinogen, as is processed meat like hot dogs and salami.

Abdeh said other foods that are highly salted, smoked, or pickled as a means of preservation are also a cancer risk.

"The body converts them into N-nitroso, which is a compound linked to a greater risk of cancer. Smoked meats absorb tar, which is a carcinogen, while pickled and salted foods both have a high salt content, which is linked to stomach and colon cancer.” Eating lots of processed and red meat can increase the risk of bowel cancer.

"We know for definite that processed meat is a cause of cancer, but the scientific evidence for red meat is less clear," says Cancer Research UK. The charity explains: "Red meat is classed as a probable cause of cancer. This means there is lots of good evidence of a link, but we need a few more of the best quality studies to be certain."

Processed meat includes ham, bacon, salami, and sausages. Red meat includes all fresh, minced, and frozen beef, pork, and lamb. There is also some evidence for an increased risk of stomach and pancreatic cancer linked to these meats.

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