GLOBAL health experts have found processed meat such as bacon, ham and sausages can cause bowel cancer.

Red meat is also "probably" carcinogenic, with associations mainly with bowel cancer, but also with pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer , according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report.

The classification given to processed meat - ''carcinogenic to humans'' - is the highest of five possible rankings, shared with alcohol, asbestos, arsenic and cigarettes.

Experts found that each 50 gram portion of processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of bowel cancer by 18 per cent.

An association with stomach cancer was also seen, but the evidence is not conclusive, the report said.

Processed meat refers to meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavour or improve preservation.

Most processed meats contain pork or beef, but processed meats may also contain other red meats, poultry, offal, or meat by-products such as blood.

Examples of processed meat include hot dogs, ham, sausages, corned beef, and beef jerky as well as canned meat and meat-based preparations and sauces.