Large amounts of acrylamide, a chemical found in French fries, cakes, and snacks, can raise the risk of kidney cancer, especially in smokers.
Studies of the chemical have been ongoing since 1994, when the chemical was classified as a probable human carcinogen. In 2002, Swedish scientists found that the chemical was present in carbohydrate-rich foods produced at high temperatures.
New research followed more than 120,000 men and women, for more than 13 years. Those who took in the most acrylamide had a 59 percent higher risk of kidney cancer than those consuming the least.