Cancer dietitian with 15+ years’ experience flags two common favorites tied to higher cancer risk — and young people can’t resist them
Many young people enjoy certain popular foods and drinks without thinking twice, but an experienced cancer dietitian is urging them to pause and reconsider. With more than a decade of work in oncology nutrition, she says just two common indulgences can quietly raise cancer risk over time. Her message is simple and direct, aimed especially at those who feel healthy and carefree. On January 10, 2026, she shared a TikTok video under the handle @oncology.nutrition.rd to explain her warning to a wider audience. Nichole Andrews is a registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience in cancer care.
@oncology.nutrition.rd If food still feels scary years after cancer, this is for you. You don’t need more rules. You need a plan built for your body. I work 1:1 with survivors to rebuild trust with food. Apply for 1:1 coaching. Link in bio🧡🧡
♬ Time Goes - Weval
In the video, Nichole walks through a grocery store as she prepares to reveal the second item that raises cancer risk. She tells viewers, “I am going to take you over to that place that you do not want to shop. It will increase your risk of colon cancer.” Some people might think she means conventional produce. But she explains the real danger is processed meats. “Pepperoni, sausages, bacon, hot dogs, any of these are processed meats that increase the risk of colon cancer; avoid these,” she says. In another clip, she names alcohol as the number one risk.
“One is alcohol, which increases risk of seven different cancers,” she says, while on-screen text lists cancers of the mouth, breast, colon, liver, throat, esophagus, and stomach. She repeats that processed meat raises the risk of colon and rectal cancer only. “That is it, the list stops.” Research supports Nichole’s warning. The World Health Organization’s cancer research has classified processed meats such as bacon, ham, and sausages as carcinogenic to humans, based on strong evidence linking them to colorectal (bowel) cancer, with higher intake associated with increased risk.
Likewise, another WHO report states that alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen and that any amount increases the risk of several cancers, including those of the oral cavity, pharynx, liver, colon, and breast. These widely cited sources show that regular intake of processed meats and alcohol can raise cancer risk over time, reinforcing Nichole’s message to limit or avoid these substances for better long‑term health.
Nichole explains in another video that the risk increases each time a person consumes these items. “When you truly do consume processed meat or alcohol, you are increasing your risk by about 15 percent every single time you are having it,” she says. The on-screen text adds that alcohol increases cancer risk by 20 percent and processed meats by 18 percent.
While exact numbers may vary across studies, experts agree that regular intake over time raises overall risk. She also speaks directly to cancer survivors. She says many of them choose to avoid alcohol and processed meats to reduce the chance of recurrence. According to her, having a “you only live once” attitude may feel fun in the moment, but can harm long-term health. The cancer dietician also runs a website offering oncology nutrition support for treatment, prevention, and recovery.
For more health tips, follow @oncology.nutrition.rd on TikTok.