Exactly, it takes much longer for cancer to develop than food poisoning, and many people didn’t live long enough to get the cancers now commonly seen in many older people. Food processing has become more complex than traditional salting, smoking, drying, etc, with relatively new additives, both synthetic and “natural.” Cancer is not the only consequence from long term consumption of processed meat products. They are high in sodium, which can affect blood pressure, an important factor in many diseases of aging. High consumption of processed meat leaves less room in the diet for more beneficial foods, and they are often consumed with alcohol or other foods that are relatively unhealthy. People choosing this kind of diet are likely less knowledgeable about healthy eating and less likely to prioritize it and other healthy lifestyle practices.