Gastric cancer is the 5th most diagnosed cancer and the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related death across the globe. Compared to people with type O blood, individuals in the, B, and AB groups are said to be at greater risk of developing gastric cancer. People in the type A group were said to be at the highest risk, likely due to H. pylori infections, which are known to be more prevalent in type A blood. Usually found in the stomach, H. pylori can cause inflammation and ulcers.
Ulcers and Blood Type
While it may so far seem that those with type O blood don’t have any medical concerns, this is not really the case. Studies have shown that people in the type O group are at higher risk of developing peptic and duodenal ulcers compared to those in the other groups. Peptic ulcers are painful open sores that develop in the stomach lining and upper intestine. There is an enhanced binding of Helicobacter pylori to epithelial cells in individuals belonging to the type O blood group.