A new study presented last week at the American Association of Cancer Research found that people who eat grilled meat that is cooked to the point of being charred or burned on the outside are 60 percent more likely to get pancreatic cancer.  Yes, I said 60 – six-zero!

According to Reuters, charred meat contains several known cancer-causing chemicals, including heterocyclic amines.  Turning down the flame or cooking meat slightly less well-done are the best ways to lower your exposure to those chemicals.  Stopping smoking (click here to join Beliefnet’s “Fresh Air” group and get started) and lowering alcohol and fatty food consumption are also ways to prevent pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has stricken public personalities from Patrick Swayze to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in recent months.  It’s a particularly devastating form of cancer, in part because by the time it’s noticed, a pancreatic tumor is usually too large and aggressive to be treated with surgery.

Will you give up charred meat in light of this study?  How much do you follow health news in general?