Harald zur Hausen, Nobel Laureate in Medicine: “Beef consumption is a risk factor for colon cancer”

The scientific community remembers Harald zur Hausen as one of the most respected voices in modern German medicine. The physician and researcher carried out extensive studies into cervical cancer and ultimately discovered that the human papillomavirus, or HPV, can cause cervical cancer. That breakthrough earned him the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine alongside Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier.

The Gelsenkirchen-born scientist possessed deep expertise on different forms of cancer and their possible causes, building a flawless career devoted to advancing research in the field. Over the years, he frequently spoke about the hidden risks embedded in daily life, often warning about the impact of diet and unhealthy habits.

“Our cattle are a clear risk factor”

He was blunt when discussing the issue and pointed directly at one product. “Definitely, the consumption of beef is a major risk factor for colon cancer,” he said, noting that countries such as Japan and South Korea, where rates are high, commonly consume beef, while in India, where people “hardly eat it at all” for reasons largely tied to Hinduism, the situation is the opposite.

Recent studies have indeed linked red meat consumption to a higher risk of cancer because of certain compounds, including heme iron. Hausen also told the Spanish outlet Cinco Días years ago that milk was another staple food people should approach more cautiously: “Apparently our cattle are a clear risk factor, and we need to be more careful during infancy.”

According to the expert, it could not be ruled out that milk increases the likelihood of certain malignant cells appearing, as well as degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or even multiple sclerosis. Hausen’s influential voice fell silent in 2023, but his research remains widely recognized, respected, and valued across the scientific community.

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