Bacon has been called dangerous and is set to be banned in hospitals

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A new health breakfast could see the National Health Service (NHS) in England remove patients' favourite dishes, including sausages and mash, from its menu.

The NHS in England spends millions on cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Health experts fear an increased risk of cancer linked to processed meat.

Processed meat refers to meat that has been processed through salting, fermentation, smoking or other processes to improve taste or preservation.

Bacon is a health hazard because it falls into the same category as asbestos and can cause cancer, says Dr Charlotte Holtram.

The campaign to remove the harmful products from hospitals comes after the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified processed meat as a carcinogen – a substance that causes cancer.