This is why the meat YOU eat probably contains CANCEROUS tumours

A viral tweet that’s been sweeping social media has horrified members of the British public.

The post, that claims tumours are cut from meat before being re-sold to customers, makes for grim reading.

Worryingly, this accusation doesn’t seem to be very far-fetched at all, with two butchers claiming that this is common practice.

Cancer Research UK has furthered these concerns, acknowledging a correlation between processed and red meats and the deadly disease.

So just how dangerous is consuming these tumour-ridden products?

Consuming diseased product may increase your risk of developing cancer.

When purchasing meat from supermarkets, it’s hard to know whether or not it is in the best condition.

The only way to be certain that it hasn’t been affected by tumours is by taking a look at the entire animal before it’s cut up.

Even if you buy from a reputable store, there’s no certainty that cancer hasn’t been chopped out by butchers.

This is because there are currently no laws prohibiting this practice.

In fact, shops are under no obligation to tell their customers about the cancer growth in animals they eat.

To combat the problem, it’s advisable to cut back on the amount of meat you eat every day.

Cancer Research UK and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classify processed meats, including bacon and sausages, as “causes of cancer”.

Scientists have found links between this food type and bowel tumours in particular.

Red meat – including pork, beef and lamb – have been placed in the “probably causes cancer” bracket.

While the British charity advises members of the public to reduce their meat intake if it’s excessive, they are not calling for you to banish it from your diet for good.

Professor Tim Key, Cancer Research UK’s epidemiologist at the University of Oxford, said: "Cancer Research UK supports IARC's decision that there's strong enough evidence to classify processed meat as a cause of cancer, and red meat as a probable cause of cancer.

“We've known for some time about the probable link between red and processed meat and bowel cancer, which is backed by substantial evidence.

"This decision doesn't mean you need to stop eating any red and processed meat. But if you eat lots of it you may want to think about cutting down.

"You could try having fish for your dinner rather than sausages, or choosing to have a bean salad for lunch over a BLT.”

The epidemiologist also pointed out that there were plenty of other lifestyle factors that were linked to deadly diseases.

He added: "Eating a bacon bap every once in a while isn't going to do much harm - having a healthy diet is all about moderation.

“Overall red and processed meat cause fewer cases of cancer in the UK than some other lifestyle factors.

“And by far the biggest risk to your health is smoking – causing over a quarter of cancer deaths in the UK and nearly one in five cancer cases.”

If all this has put you off eating meat for good, this is how a plant-based diet can help you lose weight and improve your health.