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Vegetarian Diet Linked to Lower Cancer Risk, Study Finds

2/27/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The University of Oxford study finds a vegetarian diet may lower cancer risk for five types accounting for about 20% of UK cancer deaths.
Vegetarians face nearly double the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and a 40% higher risk of bowel cancer than meat eaters.
The study followed participants for 16 years and notes shifts since the 1990s toward more ultra-processed foods, underscoring the need for further research.

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Story summary

The University of Oxford study finds a vegetarian diet may lower cancer risk for five types accounting for about 20% of UK cancer deaths.
Vegetarians face nearly double the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and a 40% higher risk of bowel cancer than meat eaters.
The study followed participants for 16 years and notes shifts since the 1990s toward more ultra-processed foods, underscoring the need for further research.