Some studies linked meat to cancer due to viruses, viral particles, prions and other molecules present in the meat.
That said dietary studies are extremely hard to conduct in a controlled manner and thus replicate.
A diet which is heavy on plant based foods might be cancer preventative since you need to consume calories; additional plant material itself might contain molecules that help you combat cancer or at least serve as a barrier to potential carcinogenic pathogens.
As far as cancer and meat consumption goes it seems that pork and beef are the biggest offenders it’s not clear yet if it’s simply because they contain more pathogens which can impact humans as they are mammals or because those meats tend to be consumed at larger amounts.
Poultry and fish don’t seem to have as much impact with the latter showing no increase in cancer at all by most studies iirc.