Doctors Uncover The Blood Type Linked To Lower Cancer Risk
A 2015 study found three blood groups linked to higher cancer risk.
Knowing your blood type isn’t just something you learn in school biology - it can actually matter for your health in more ways than you might think. Beyond the obvious need for matching blood in emergencies, researchers have looked into whether your blood group affects your risk of developing certain diseases, including cancer.
Finding out your blood type is straightforward. If you’re having routine blood work done or donating blood, you can simply ask the healthcare professional taking your sample. They won’t volunteer the information unless you ask, though, so it’s up to you to bring it up.
Many people first learn their blood group during pregnancy or when receiving medical care that requires a transfusion. Blood types fall into four main categories (A, B, AB, and O) and each is further labeled positive or negative depending on the presence of a protein called the Rh factor.
So you might be A‑positive, B‑negative, O‑negative, AB‑positive, and so on. Over the years, scientists have studied whether certain blood groups are linked to higher or lower risks for various health issues.
A study published in 2015 looked specifically at cancer risk and found that people with type O blood seem to have a lower chance of developing some types of cancer compared to those with A, B, or AB blood. However, the research didn’t show any difference in survival rates once someone is diagnosed.
Research suggests that specific blood types are linked to certain chronic conditions.
For example, stomach cancer risk appears higher in individuals with A, B, or AB blood types than in those with type O. The same pattern shows up with pancreatic cancer: people who aren’t type O seem to face a greater risk. On the flip side, type O blood has been linked with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer as well.
These findings don’t mean your blood type decides your fate. Many factors, including lifestyle, family history, and environmental exposures, play into cancer risk. Still, knowing your blood group can be one more piece of the puzzle when it comes to understanding your health profile.
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Human blood is classified into four primary groups.
Dr Sanjay Aggarwal, a general physician at Holistic Healthcare Centre in Delhi, points out that the evidence so far suggests a relative advantage for type O blood when it comes to pancreatic cancer. “It may be more accurate to say people with type O blood are at a lower risk for pancreatic cancer, given the work researchers are doing on bacterial infection,” he said.
It’s worth remembering that even though type O blood might offer some protection against certain cancers, it doesn’t make you immune. And if you have type A, B, or AB blood, it doesn’t mean you’re destined to develop cancer. The connections observed in studies reflect trends across large groups of people—not guarantees for any individual.
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Ultimately, knowing your blood type is practical information. In an emergency where a transfusion is needed, it can save valuable time. And in everyday life, it’s another small insight into how your body works. If you’re curious, next time you have blood drawn for tests (or if you sign up to donate), just ask, “What’s my blood type?” It’s a quick question that could stick with you for life.
Damjan
