Show 1013: Bacon Causes Cancer! How Good Is the Science Behind the Headlines?

Bacon and Cancer: Not long ago, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Cancer Research stirred up a lot of controversy by announcing that processed meats such as bacon or hot dogs should be classified as human carcinogens. What does this pronouncement actually mean? Has it changed the way you cook or eat, and should it? There is also research indicating that eating meat grilled, cooked or fried at high heat is linked to kidney cancer. Here’s a link to the study. Don’t despair, though. Here are some tips on how to grill more safely. More Medicines Means More Chance of Interactions: A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has shown that more Americans than ever before are taking medication, and they are taking more medicines. Nearly 15 percent of adults are taking five or more pills on a regular basis. What should they be watching for? We’ll discuss the potential for disastrous interactions. How Low Should Blood Pressure Go? The SPRINT study showed the benefit of keeping blood pressure low, with systolic pressure at or under 120. The study subjects were middle aged and older, but another study showed that younger people too can benefit from vigorous blood pressure control. Dr. João Lima tells us about his research. This Week’s Guests: David Kroll, PhD, is a pharmacologist and medical writer in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina. He has taught at the University of Colorado, Duke University and North Carolina Central University. He now works on educating the public on matters pharmacological through his blogs. The photo is of Dr. Kroll. João A. C. Lima, MBA, MD, is Professor of Medicine and Radiology and Director of Cardiovascular Imaging at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is also Professor of Radiology and Radiological Science and has a joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology. His research was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Listen to the Podcast: The podcast of this program will be available the Monday after the broadcast date. The show can be streamed online from this site and podcasts can be downloaded for free for four weeks after the date of broadcast. After that time has passed, digital downloads are available for $2.99. CDs may be purchased at any time after broadcast for $9.99. Buy the CD Download the mp3