What could be better than death by bacon?

Bermuda’s bacon lovers are sticking by the breakfast staple despite the World Health Organization’s warning that it’s no better for you than asbestos or cigarettes.

The nitrates in the processed meat are said to be the problem. Experts claim that if you gorge on bacon, ham or hot dogs you significantly increase the risk of colorectal and stomach cancer.

Residents told The Royal Gazette the threat wasn’t worth the sacrifice.

Ethan Rogers, 19, university student: “What doesn’t give you cancer or have negative effects on health? I will stick to being happy eating one of my favourite foods as per usual. Go bacon! It’s like cigarettes. They come with a health warning on the back, but who pays attention to that?”

Susan French, 61, retired thoroughbred racer: “I’m bothered, but I’m not bothered. If I am going to die I’m going to die no matter what I eat. Who cares? I eat bacon every now and then. I am not bothered by the studies. My favourite way to eat bacon is as a bacon and tomato sandwich.”

Dwayne Jones, 58: “It feels like everything is killing you nowadays no matter what you eat. I love to eat bacon fried, particularly with eggs. I probably have it once or twice a week. I hadn’t heard about the connection to colon cancer, and I will have to rethink my bacon consumption habits. Like a lot of people I am concerned about colon cancer. It’s a silent killer.”

Gerri Nott, 30, tumour registrar: “It feels like everything now is trying to kill you; everything gives you cancer. I very rarely cook bacon at home, but if I go out I’ll have a bacon and egg sandwich. I haven’t seen information about the connection to colon cancer, and I am very concerned about my health. I probably won’t reduce my consumption of it, because I don’t eat it every very often. But it is good.”

Tiffany Smith, 27, bartender: “I love bacon. I fry it up or eat it on my burgers. I have to be in the mood to eat it; I don’t eat it every day. I hadn’t heard there was any connection to colon cancer. If that’s true, then I’ll have to think about my consumption a bit, but I don’t think I would stop eating it.”

Wayne Dill, 56: “I do like bacon and I do eat it, and I am not bothered by the recent studies. Processed foods are not necessarily good for you but I can’t turn my back on them. I will not deny myself a hot dog which is probably one of the most toxic foods you can eat. If you do everything in moderation and in balance you will be fine. I have found out that roasting bacon in a pan tastes better than microwaving it.”

Ryan Marshall, 25, accountant: “Yes, I eat bacon. I didn’t know there was a connection between bacon and colon cancer, but knowing probably won’t make me reduce my bacon consumption. I already knew it wasn’t something healthy to eat. I know the risks. My favourite way to eat bacon is fried.”

Did you know?

— Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Bermuda.

— Twenty-one per cent of bowel cancers are caused by processed or red meat according to Cancer Research UK

— Ninety per cent of all colorectal cancers are diagnosed in people aged 50 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

— One of the most popular recipes on the internet is The Bacon Explosion involving large quantities of Italian sausage and bacon, 5,000 calories and 500 grammes of fat.

— In some places bacon is so popular you can get bacon-flavoured mints, martinis and milkshakes.