HAM and bacon should be cut from our diets to avoid the risk of bowel cancer, a landmark study has shown.

The World Cancer Research Fund study found strong evidence that eating red meat and processed meats such as pastrami, salami, and frankfurters can cause bowel cancer.

The panel - that has reviewed half a million published papers worldwide - recommended that the health conscious should eat less than 18 ounces of red meat per week and avoid processed meat altogether.