Blood Group Decides Chance of Prostate Cancer Recurrence: Study

A research conducted at Tokyo Medical University has revealed that the type of blood group of the person plays an important role in the recurrence of prostate cancer.

According to the study, men with blood group O have less chance of getting the disease again after surgery.

However, men with blood group A face 35 per cent more chance of getting back the disease even after surgery.

Study author Dr Yoshio Ohno of Tokyo Medical University said, "This is the first time that anyone has shown that prostate cancer recurrence can vary with blood group." As part of the study, 555 patients with prostate cancer were followed between 2004 and 2010.

Earlier studies have pointed that different blood groups were linked to varied levels of risk of developing certain cancers, such as gastric and pancreatic. It is estimated that 44 per cent of Britain population has O blood group as it is the most common group in the UK. Around 42 per cent of Britons have blood group A.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in European men and every year, 40,000 cases are detected in Britain.

EAU general secretary Professor Per-Anders Abrahamsson said, "There is great geographical variation in the incidence of prostate cancer, so there are obviously strong genetic factors at play."

Researchers said the new study will help in finding new treatments for the disease.

Source: Medindia