In 1975, Rowland Philips compared Seventh -
Day Adventists physicians, who do not eat meat, with non-Seventh
Day Adventist physicians, and found that the vegetarian doctors had higher rates of gastrointestinal and colon - rectal cancer deaths.10
National Cancer Institute data show that Argentina, with very high levels of beef consumption, has significantly lower rates of colon cancer than other western countries where beef consumption is considerably lower.11 A 1997 study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that increased risk of colon and rectal cancer was positively associated with consumption of bread, cereal dishes, potatoes, cakes, desserts and refined sugars, but not with
eggs or meat.12 And a 1978 study published in the Journal of the
National Cancer Institute found no greater risk of colon cancer, regardless of the amounts of beef or other meats ingested.13 The study also found that those who ate plenty of cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, had lower rates of colon cancer.