WHO says processed meats have same danger of cancer as smoking

It's official: Ham, hot dogs and other processed meats can lead to colon, stomach and other cancers - and red meat is probably cancer-causing, too.

While doctors in rich countries have long warned against eating too much meat, the World Health Organization's cancer agency gave the most definitive response yet Monday about its relation to cancer - and put processed meats in the same danger category as smoking or asbestos.

The findings don't say that a slice of salami is as dangerous as a cigarette, but they could weigh on public health policy and recommendations by medical groups . . .