Blood groups are commonly associated only with emergency situations such as blood supply or transfusions.
However, medical experts say that a person’s blood type can reveal important insights about overall health and may even indicate susceptibility to certain serious diseases.
Recent scientific research has focused on how cancer risks may vary among individuals with different blood groups. Against the backdrop of rising cancer cases worldwide, one study has highlighted a notable link between blood types and stomach cancer.
According to a report published in the medical journal BMC Cancer in 2019, individuals with certain blood groups were found to have a higher likelihood of developing gastric cancer compared to others. Stomach cancer, medically known as gastric cancer, develops due to abnormal growth of cells in the stomach’s inner lining, gradually damaging healthy tissue.
The study found that people with blood group A and AB face a comparatively higher risk of this disease. Data showed that individuals with blood group A have about a 13 to 19 percent higher risk than those with blood group O, while the risk among people with blood group AB can be as high as 18 percent. These findings were later supported by meta-analyses of multiple studies.
Experts also noted that individuals with blood group A are more prone to infection by Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium considered a major cause of stomach cancer. However, research suggests that even in the absence of this infection, people with blood group A may still carry an elevated risk. In contrast, for those with blood group AB, the presence of this bacterium can further increase the chances of developing the disease.
Medical specialists emphasize that blood group alone should not be viewed as a direct or sole cause of cancer. Differences among blood types in controlling inflammation, immune system responses, cell-to-cell interaction, and stomach acid levels may all influence disease risk.
Doctors explain that stomach cancer usually develops due to a combination of factors, including poor diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, certain infections, and environmental influences. The disease is more common in parts of Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Its risk increases with age, and statistics show that men are diagnosed more frequently than women.
Health experts advise the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle, maintain a balanced diet, avoid tobacco use, and undergo regular medical check-ups, as these measures can significantly reduce the risk of stomach cancer and many other diseases.
