Blood Type A and Gastric Cancer

Last Modified: September 17, 2006

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Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"

I have read that there may be an additional risk factor for gastric cancer for people with type A blood. If this is true, what if any preventive steps should be taken, and why is this true?



It has been noticed for many years that there is higher incidence of gastric cancer in blood type A population than in people with other blood types. It seems related more to the 'older type - distal gastric cancer' than 'proximal gastric cancer'. However, the mechanism / reason is unknown. Since the difference of blood types is based on the 'sugar' part of the glycoprotein on the cell membrane, it may not be the 'blood type' itself, rather some unknown molecule(s) adjacent to it.

I don't think there is any information about prevention from that prospect.

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