Risk of hematological malignancy in blood donors: A nationwide cohort study

Abstract

Background: There has been a concern that blood donations can increase the risk of hematological malignancies. We investigated if blood donations increase the risk of developing hematological malignancies, specifically acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myeloid leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma, as well other non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Study Design and Methods: In total, the study included 1,021,433 Swedish blood donors, with 19.5 million person-years of follow-up. Two sets of analysis were performed. In the first cohort analysis, standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated, comparing the incidence of the different types of hematological cancers in blood donors to that of the general population. In the second analysis, a nested case-control study was conducted, investigating the association between number of donations and the risk of each type of malignancy. Results: Apart from a modestly elevated risk of CLL (SIR, 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.15) and a modestly decreased risk of AML (SIR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.77-0.83), the risk of hematological malignancies did not differ between blood donors and the general population. In the nested case-control study there were no convincing associations between number of prior whole blood donations and site-specific malignancy risk. Conclusions: There was no convincing evidence of an increased risk in any hematological malignancy when interpreting the results from both series of analyses.

A methods review of the “healthy donor effect” in studies of long‐term health outcomes in blood donors

“…In general, the observed association between blood donation and long‐term health outcomes across the studies were inconsistent. Several studies showed blood donation has a protective effect on CVD, cancer, and death, 5–7,10,11,13,19,21,23,29 while other studies showed blood donation had no association with CVD, cancer, and death 9,12,15,17,18,21,24,25,31 . Some studies also found that apheresis donation was associated with reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of fracture, 16,28 while other studies found no association between blood donation and BMD markers 22,26,27,30 .…”

“…Several studies showed blood donation has a protective effect on CVD, cancer, and death, [5][6][7]10,11,13,19,21,23,29 while other studies showed blood donation had no association with CVD, cancer, and death. 9,12,15,17,18,21,24,25,31 Some studies also found that apheresis donation was associated with reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of fracture, 16,28 while other studies found no association between blood donation and BMD markers. 22,26,27,30 One of the studies reported that apheresis donors had an increased risk of bacterial infection.…”

Repeat donation and deferral rates in US source plasma donors: Exploratory analysis from the IMPACT trial

“…Lastly, a Swedish case–control study identified a possible increased risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in frequent plasma donors 18 . However, a subsequent national cohort study by the same group concluded that there was no convincing evidence of an increased risk of any hematological malignancy 19 …”

Short‐term health outcomes following whole blood donation: A nationwide, retrospective cohort study

“…Through linkage with a range of nationwide health data registers, capturing data on all hospital‐based in‐ and outpatient care, as well as all causes of death, both donors and transfused patients can be followed for a range of health outcomes, irrespective of where and when they occurred. For details about the SCANDAT3‐S database, see previous publications 14,15 …”