The Role of Blood Group in Cancer Risk: Correlations with Site, Age, and Body Mass Index

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a complicated group of diseases in which cells grow and divide without being controlled. It is still one of the main reasons of death in the world, which presents major public health issues. Blood group links to cancer risk have been getting more and more attention over the past few years, among other things being studied. Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess the relation between ABO blood groups and the occurrence of different cancer types among the population of Kirkuk city. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Kirkuk city from the period 15th October 2023 to 15th May 2024 on cancer patients of Kirkuk's Oncology and Hematology Centre. Data was collected from medical records and patient interviews to examine demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, medical history, and potential exposures. The study included 398 patients diagnosed with cancer within a specified time frame, selected from medical records of healthcare facilities in the target area.. Blood samples were collected from each participant in the study for determination of blood group and Rh. Results: The study reveals that breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer, accounting for 45.98% of all cases. The study presents the distribution of cancer patients according to their blood groups, with O positive and A positive blood types accounting for the highest percentage at 33.67%. Other blood types such as B positive, AB positive, O negative, B negative, AB negative, and A negative are represented in smaller percentages ranging from 1.26% to 20.60%. The duration of cancer is examined in relation to blood groups, providing insights into mean durations across different ABO blood types and Rh factors. Blood type A exhibits the longest mean duration at 1.71 years, followed closely by blood type B at 1.74 years, while blood type O presents a slightly shorter mean duration at 1.52 years. In the current study, blood group A is predominantly seen in brain cancer for males (100%), with a considerable presence in digestive system cancers, split nearly evenly between males (41.94%) and females (58.06%). Blood group B appears infrequently but is represented in the digestive system and female reproductive cancers, demonstrating a minor presence compared to other groups. Skin cancer shows a potential link between blood group distribution and family history of the disease, suggesting a genetic predisposition or a significant association worth further investigation.