Eating meat is ok, I find if kind of disgusting knowing it was once a live innocent animal (sorry I have a conscience), let alone god knows what hormones and other things ingest as I eat it, so I try avoid meats anyway. Though it contains iron and other good nutrients, so does plant foods but they're harder to absorb (haem iron vs. Non-haem). I'd applaud you if you did go vegetarian, it does make a positive impact on your health if you do it right. But the whole "animal foods cause cancer" is true, only if you eat it regularly and more than you should. Eating red meat is fine once you only do it max 3/4 times a week, you don't need to cut it out entirely. I know some people see meat as a necessity. Just avoid the processed, high salt and high fat meat. There are people who are vegan, exercise daily and live a "perfect" life and still get cancer (much much less of a chance) but still happens. Just do whatever makes you happy, it is your life and your body. Personally I like to take care of mine for myself as it makes me feel better and more energised. I also want to be an organ donator, if I can't amount to something good maybe I'll save someone's life at least!