Prof. Ibrahim Katibi, an expert in cardiovascular diseases, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, has warned that eating processed foods containing additives and preservatives could cause cancer.
Katibi on Tuesday in Ilorin said that cancer was the second leading cause of death of the cardiovascular disease both in the developed and developing countries.
According to him, processed foods such as canned foods, and those containing chemicals and additives to prolong their shelf lives were carcinogenic.
He cautioned that saturated fats from red meats, such as hamburger or steak, and high-fat dairy products were linked with several cancers.
“It also appears to increase the risk for cancers in the breast, colon, kidney and gallbladder,” he said.
The cardiologist said that alcohol consumption also increase the risk of cancer of the oesophagus and stomach, especially when combined with smoking.
Katibi warned that “exposure to electromagnetic radiation, invisible, high-energy light waves such as sunlight and X-rays, accounts for a small percentage of cancer deaths”.