A recent study from the Francis Crick Institute suggests that regular blood donors may exhibit genetic changes that could potentially lower their risk of developing blood cancers. The research focused on two groups of healthy male donors in their 60s: one group had donated blood three times a year for 40 years, while the other group had donated only about five times in total.
The study identified subtle genetic differences between the two groups, with more frequent donors showing mutations not associated with a high risk of blood cancer. However, it is important to note that healthier individuals are generally more likely to donate, which may influence the findings. The researchers noted that as people age, their cells naturally acquire mutations, increasing the risk for diseases like cancer.
During the blood donation process, stem cells in the bone marrow regenerate new blood cells, which may contribute to genetic diversity. The study found that both groups had a similar number of mutations, but the type of mutations in stem cells differed: 50% of frequent donors exhibited one type, compared to only 30% of irregular donors. These mutations behaved differently in laboratory settings, particularly concerning their growth patterns related to diseases like leukaemia.
While the results are intriguing, they do not establish a causal link between blood donation and reduced cancer risk. The research team plans to expand their analysis to include a larger and more diverse sample, including female donors. NHS Blood and Transplant highlighted the need for further investigation, emphasizing that the "healthy-donor effect" complicates studies on donor health. Current blood stocks in the UK are reported to be critically low, underscoring the importance of blood donation to improve overall health outcomes for others.