Playing with Fire: Grilled Chicken Increases Breast Cancer Risk

In the United States, 1.5 million new cases of breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 2010. But how many people realize that consuming grilled chicken can increase the risk of breast cancer? Recent tests commissioned by the Cancer Project of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine revealed that grilled chicken from fast-food outlets contains substantial amounts of a carcinogenic chemical called PhIP.

The independent laboratory analysis of grilled chicken samples bought at a fast-food outlets found that all samples tested contained significant amounts of PhIP, a chemical that can increase a person’s risk for breast, colon, and prostate cancers, even if consumed in small amounts. PhIP has been identified as a carcinogen by the National Institutes of Health.

PhIP is one of a group of carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) that are found in grilled meat. PhIP and other HCAs do not exist naturally in chicken; they form when animal muscle is cooked to high temperatures. As known mutagens, HCAs can bind directly to DNA and cause mutations, the first step in the development of cancer.

PhIP is only one of the breast-cancer risks present in grilled chicken. More than 60 percent of the calories in a single KFC grilled chicken thigh are fat calories. Studies show countries with a higher fat intake, particularly fat from animal products, have a higher rate of breast cancer.

Learn more about grilled chicken and PhIP:

• Carcinogen Found in Chicken: PCRM Warning-Label Lawsuit Moves Forward
• Carcinogen in Grilled Chicken Prompts Class-Action Lawsuit Against McDonald’s, Burger King, and Friendly’s
• New Study Finds Dangerous Carcinogen in Fast-Food Grilled Chicken
• New Study Exposes Cancer Risk in Grilled Chicken Meals at Leading Restaurants
• PCRM Files Lawsuit Over Carcinogens in Grilled Chicken
• Fast-Food Grilled Chicken Contains Dangerous Carcinogen, Laboratory Tests Reveal: Doctors’ Group Sues McDonald’s, Burger King, Outback, and Other National Chains Under California Law to Warn Consumers

The Web site does not provide medical or legal advice.
This site is for information purposes only.
Full Disclaimer | Privacy Policy