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Cancer Risk by Blood Type

Some of the risk factors for cancer are very well known: heredity, lifestyle, smoking, etc. But is your blood type one of these risk factors? There is a great deal of controversy in the medical establishment over whether your blood type puts you at higher risk for certain cancers.

  1. Does Research Support the Idea?

    • Some recent studies, such as a March 2009 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, have indicated that some blood types may be more susceptible to some cancers. This doesn't mean that people with other blood types can't get these cancers, but it does mean that if you have one of those blood types, you should be on guard for the development of one of these cancers.

    Is Blood Type as a Risk Factor Generally Accepted by the Medical Field?

    • While doctors are aware of some evidence of links between blood type and cancer, they generally find the connection to be fairly unimportant in diagnosing or treating cancers. Dr. Edward Blonz, in his critique of the Eat Right For Your Type diet, says that while blood type is not totally benign, the relationship between blood type and illnesses such as cancer is weak and inconclusive at best.

    What Blood Types are Most at Risk for Cancer?

    • Some research, such as a 2009 National Cancer Institute study, suggests that type A, B, or AB blood may be at a higher risk for pancreatic cancer. Other researchers, including Dr. Peter D'Adamo, the author of "Eat Right For Your Type," claim that anyone with type A blood is at higher risk for all cancers. Doctors have noticed for many years people with type O blood are more susceptible to stomach cancers, according to Blonz.

    What Blood Types are Least at Risk?

    • Type O has a lower risk for all cancers except stomach cancers and those with type B blood have the lowest occurrence of cancer overall, except for pancreatic cancer, according to D'Adamo. He claims that those with type A blood have a generally increased overall risk of developing cancer.

    How Can People with Certain Blood Types Prevent Cancer?

    • Most doctors simply recommend the usual choices that can stave off cancer for people with any blood type, such as eating right, exercising and not smoking, according to an article in Medical News Today. Others, however, are more optimistic. Some people recommend D'Adamo's Eat Right for Your Type diet, although not all doctors, including Blonz, find this effective.

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