Review on meat consumption and cancer in South America

Consumption of red meat and its heterocyclic amines (HCA) content has been associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer and, with less consistency, with stomach, oesophagus, pancreas, breast, prostate and kidney cancers. Uruguay and Argentina's rates for breast and colon cancer are among the highest in the world. The main type of meat consumed in these countries is beef, of which consumption rank first and second, respectively in the world, with about 60 kg per year per capita. Beef is cut in different ways following the customs of different countries and regions. The predominant consumption of different cuts and ways of cooking, are described for different regions within Argentina as well as frequencies of consumption of different kinds of meats. These differences reflect not only habits and customs but also socioeconomic variations among regions.A review of epidemiological studies performed in South American countries related to meat consumption, ways of cooking, HCA, and different cancers is presented. It is concluded that comparisons among studies generated in countries or regions with different meat types, beef cuts consumption usage and cooking methods must be very careful. Hence, future research for the verification of the observed associations between HCA and cancer, should be conducted through in-depth, chemically validated questionnaires based on local data.