Researchers show which blood group has the lowest cancer risk

Researchers have spent decades studying how our blood types may influence disease risk — from heart conditions to certain infections and even cancer. Now, new evidence suggests that your blood group could slightly affect your chances of developing some types of cancer. The results don’t mean anyone is “safe” or “doomed,” but they do show patterns that are worth understanding.

Across multiple large-scale studies and meta-analyses, one blood group consistently shows a modest advantage: people with blood type O appear to have the lowest overall cancer risk compared with those who have A, B, or AB blood types.

The link first emerged in older research but has been strengthened by newer data drawn from tens of thousands of patients worldwide. Scientists have looked at the ABO blood system — the most common classification — and analyzed how it correlates with cancer incidence. The trend is consistent enough to be noticed, but small enough that it shouldn’t dictate lifestyle choices. Still, the findings are fascinating and might eventually help researchers better understand how the immune system, inflammation, and cell growth interact.

Let’s break down what the evidence shows.

Gastric (stomach) cancer has one of the strongest associations with blood type. Several studies, including analyses published in BioMed Central and PLOS, found that people with blood type A or AB are more likely to develop gastric cancer compared to those with type O. The difference may be linked to how certain blood group antigens interact with Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria known to cause ulcers and increase stomach cancer risk. The antigens found in type A blood might make it easier for the bacteria to attach to stomach lining cells, triggering chronic inflammation and damage that can lead to cancer over time.

Pancreatic cancer shows a similar trend. According to data from the National Institutes of Health and other peer-reviewed sources, individuals with non-O blood types (A, B, or AB) face a moderately higher risk compared to those with type O. The proposed reason again involves inflammation and immune response. Some researchers suspect that the same antigens that define blood types may also influence how the immune system recognizes — or fails to recognize — abnormal cell growth.

For colorectal cancer, the evidence is more mixed. Some research suggests a slightly elevated risk for those with type A, but other studies find no significant difference. The same goes for breast, prostate, and lung cancers — results are inconsistent and, in many cases, statistically weak. One large study found no link at all between ABO blood type and breast cancer risk or survival, showing that while blood type may play a role in some cancers, it’s far from a universal pattern.

That said, some populations show distinct variations. In one Chinese cohort study, for example, men with blood type B had a lower risk of gastrointestinal cancers compared to those with type A. Geography, diet, genetics, and lifestyle all appear to influence how these associations play out in real life.

To understand how strong these links are, researchers look at something called the odds ratio (OR) — a measure of how much more (or less) likely an event is to happen in one group compared to another. In the case of gastric cancer, one large meta-analysis estimated that individuals with blood type A had about a 19% higher risk than those with type O (an OR of ~1.19). That’s statistically meaningful but still small. To put it in perspective, smoking or heavy alcohol use increases cancer risk by hundreds of percent, not tens.

So, what does this mean in practical terms?

1. Blood type is not destiny. Having blood group O doesn’t make you immune to cancer, and having A, B, or AB doesn’t seal your fate. These are statistical associations, not guarantees. The relative differences are minor compared to the impact of lifestyle choices, environment, and genetics.

2. Cancer risk is multifactorial. Factors such as diet, body weight, exercise, alcohol consumption, exposure to carcinogens, chronic infections, and family history have far greater influence on your lifetime risk. Blood type might tweak your susceptibility, but it’s just one thread in a complex biological web.

3. Possible biological mechanisms are under study. Scientists are exploring why these differences exist. One theory suggests that blood type antigens—proteins found on the surface of red blood cells and other tissues—may influence cell adhesion, signaling, and immune recognition. Because cancer cells often exploit these same mechanisms to grow and spread, subtle variations in antigen expression could change how easily tumors form or evade detection. Another idea focuses on the gut microbiome, which differs slightly depending on blood type and might influence inflammation levels or how the body processes carcinogens.

4. Not all cancers follow the pattern. Some types, such as leukemia, skin cancer, and breast cancer, show little to no correlation with ABO blood group. Even for those that do, like stomach and pancreas, the strength of the link varies across studies and populations.

Ultimately, if someone asks which blood group has the lowest cancer risk, the best evidence says: type O, at least for certain cancers. But it’s critical not to misinterpret that as a shield against disease.

Blood type is something you’re born with; it’s not something you can change. What you can change — and what truly matters — are your behaviors and choices. Not smoking, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating fruits and vegetables, managing chronic infections, and getting screened according to your doctor’s recommendations have a far greater impact on your actual risk.

Medical experts stress that while these findings are scientifically intriguing, they are not a basis for different screening guidelines or treatments. You don’t need to worry more or less about cancer depending on your blood type. Rather, these studies help scientists better understand the biological pathways involved in cancer development, which could someday lead to better prevention or targeted therapies.

In the end, the takeaway is simple but important: blood group O may offer a small statistical edge, but no one gets a free pass. Cancer risk isn’t written in your blood type—it’s shaped by a lifetime of factors, most of which are still under your control.

So if you’re curious about what this means for you, remember this: knowing your blood type is interesting, but knowing your health habits is life-saving. Regular checkups, early screenings, and a healthy lifestyle remain the real defenses against cancer. Blood group O might win by a few percentage points on a chart, but prevention, awareness, and action will always be what truly keep you safe.

In short, while science continues to explore these subtle biological connections, the message remains timeless: your blood type may whisper something about your risks—but your choices still shout the loudest.