Bacon Cancer Risk Announcement Divides The Internet Between Meat Lovers And Haters

The announcement that processed meat including bacon and sausages are as likely to cause cancer as cigarettes has prompted people to chew the fat online.

The World Health Organisation has placed cured and processed meats in the same category as carcinogenic substances such as asbestos, alcohol, arsenic and tobacco.

Red meat is also "probably" carcinogenic, with associations mainly with bowel cancer, but also with pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer, according to its report.

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People have reacted with passion to the news, launching memes across the internet.

However, public reaction has been divided firmly between those who adore the cured meat, and those who'd rather it didn't exist.

The news seemed unlikely to change some people's minds

If #bacon is wrong, I don't want to be right.

pic.twitter.com/2zQi2BP1ID

— Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) October 26, 2015

Saturdays are for #BACON https://t.co/sv9RHV2IdZ

— Laurence Mozafari (@Laurence_Moza) October 24, 2015

The way to our hearts will always be bacon... #bacon #baconlove pic.twitter.com/BDjfoRWgdP

— Pig of the Month BBQ (@IheartBBQ) October 24, 2015

Death by meat or death by vegetable-based sadness. I know which one I'm choosing #bacon https://t.co/LieCDq1IfR

— Henry Tudor (@KngHnryVIII) October 23, 2015

We're just over here just making dreams come true! #bacon #baconlove pic.twitter.com/mHdGReBs51

— Pig of the Month BBQ (@IheartBBQ) October 23, 2015

Good morning Patriots

One of MANY delicious benefits!

#BACON

pic.twitter.com/bVzbU1lHzv

— Sam (@AZPatriot01) October 25, 2015

So apparently #bacon causes cancer... As does breathing, wifi, tv, and basically being alive..... So basically it's inevitable.. Cool

— Sœurs de Luxe (@SoeursdeLuxe) October 26, 2015

Satirist's rejoiced

#Bacon & other meats containing ergot-laced stoat faeces are as carcinogenic as cigarettes. https://t.co/o3lodfMFjC pic.twitter.com/Pz3ZfNXpW2

— Scarfolk Council (@Scarfolk) October 26, 2015

Others welcomed the news as a means of encouraging people to give up processed meat

Human life spans would increase dramatically if organic veggies and fruits smelled just like bacon
#bacon #organic pic.twitter.com/HPtWhm1acj

— Earth Balance (@EarthBalanceAU) October 24, 2015

Who needs dead pigs for #bacon?

Not you!!

Veggie bacon that will change your life: https://t.co/y3OAQ86HD7 pic.twitter.com/qZT5ZoMiGT

— peta2 (@peta2) October 23, 2015

Do you like animal abuse and cancer? Than eat more #bacon! #WorldHealthOrganisation pic.twitter.com/ZgTnrWEKR9

— Matthew Dominguez (@Matt_Dominguez) October 26, 2015

But bacon lovers shouldn't lose hope just yet. The WHO says that red meat still has nutritional value, but that we should eat less to reflect the risks it poses.

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Bacon And Sausages As Big A Cancer Threat As Cigarettes, WHO Report Warns

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