If you have a certain blood type, you're MORE likely to develop cancer, research suggests

Blood types that may be considerably more susceptible to some fatal cancers have been identified by recent research.

According to a study of 50,000 Iranians, people with blood types A, B, or AB—roughly half of the UK population—have a 55% increased risk of stomach cancer.

According to the same study, people with type A blood are also six times more likely to get bowel cancer.

According to a different 2016 study that involved almost 18,000 adults, those with the blood type AB were 45 percent more likely to develop liver cancer.

Individuals with blood types O and AB were about a sixth less likely to get this especially deadly type of cancer.

Why blood types influence the risk of cancer, especially in the digestive system, is not fully understood by experts.

According to one theory, different blood types react differently to bacteria and other threats. These various reactions could lead to cellular alterations that raise the risk of cancer.

When interpreting these associations between blood type and cancer risk, some experts advise exercising caution. They note that the number of participants in many studies is quite small.

Other significant cancer risk factors, like smoking or alcohol use, are frequently overlooked in the research.

The most prevalent blood type in the UK is O-positive, which is followed by A positive and A negative.

According to the NHS, O-positive and A-positive people together make up about 65% of the population in the UK.

Just 1% of individuals in the UK have AB negative blood, the rarest blood type.

Your parents’ genes determine your blood type, which cannot be altered.

There are a few easy ways to find out your blood type. Online tests that you can do yourself start at £9.99.

For less than £100, private clinics provide blood typing services with results in as little as two days.

After their first donation, NHS blood donors can find out their type for free. Patients in hospitals can also inquire about their blood type with their physician.