Disease Association
Compared to non-O group (A, AB, and B) individuals, O group individuals have a 14% reduced risk of squamous cell carcinoma and 4% reduced risk of basal cell carcinoma. It is also associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer. The B antigen links with increased risk of ovarian cancer. Gastric cancer has reported to be more common in blood group A and least in group O.
According to Glass, Holmgren, et al., those in the O blood group have an increased risk of infection with cholera, and those O-group individuals who are infected have more severe infections. The mechanisms behind this association with cholera are currently unclear in the literature. The title of the referenced article is: "Predisposition for cholera of individuals with O blood group. Possible evolutionary significance."
Read more about this topic: ABO Blood Group System
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