Lucie Morris-Marr, journalist and author of *Processed*, was shocked to be diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer while feeling healthy and fit. “I was flying high… and then all of it got cancelled and I felt like my identity had been cancelled,” she told *Nine to Noon*.

During treatment, Lucie began researching the disease and discovered that the World Health Organization classifies processed meats—like bacon, sausages, and salami—as Group 1 carcinogens, in the same category as tobacco and alcohol. “All that kept coming up was processed meats and the link with bowel cancer,” she said.

Though she didn’t consider herself a heavy meat eater, Lucie realized she often ate things like prosciutto, pepperoni pizza, and Christmas bacon. “I still… don’t claim that was the cause… but I started to think, ‘It’s in the frame… one of the suspects.’”

She expressed anger over the lack of public warnings: “Where were the warning labels? Where were the health campaigns?”

Consuming just 50 grams of processed meat daily—about two slices of bacon—can increase bowel cancer risk by 18%. These meats also contain harmful chemicals and are often high in fat and salt.

Lucie hopes her story encourages others to rethink their diets and health choices.