Correlation between hematocrit and the risk of common human cancers: results of a 1999–2020 observational survey and Mendelian randomization analysis
Creators: name: Li, Guo-Sheng
name: Huang, Tao
name: Li, Jing-Xiao
name: Liu, Jun
name: Gao, Xiang
name: Yan, Guan-Qiang
name: Yang, Nuo
name: Zhou, Hua-Fu
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2025
Subjects: subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Cancer
subject: Science Policy
subject: Hematology

description: Previous studies have underscored the significance of hematocrit (HCT) in different tumors. However, further research is needed to explore its causal relationship with various tumors. A retrospective analysis and a Mendelian randomization analysis were conducted on a sample of 3,580,275 samples to investigate the causal relationships between high HCT levels and the risks of developing the 15 prevalent malignant tumors. Additionally, using an in-house cohort, Kaplan–Meier curves were utilized to examine the relationship between HCT levels and the prognosis of patients with prostate cancer (PCa). An elevated HCT level was identified as a protective factor against six types of cancers, including PCa (odds ratio [OR] &lt; 1.000, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), and a risk factor for cervical cancer, melanoma, and non-melanoma skin cancer (OR &gt; 1.000, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). A potential causal association was found between high HCT levels and decreased risks of developing PCa (OR = 0.887, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) and breast cancer (OR = 0.893, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). HCT was identified as a protective factor against PCa (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). This study identified significant associations between HCT and nine tumors. HCT levels may serve as a protective factor against PCa. This study
aimed to examine the association between hematocrit (HCT)—a measure of the proportion of red
blood cells in the blood—and various types of cancers. Previous
research has suggested that HCT may exert different effects across various cancers; therefore, further exploration of this potential relationship is warranted. Using data from over three million individuals, the researchers examined the relationship between high
HCT levels and the risk of developing the 15 common cancers. They also
examined whether HCT levels were associated with the outcomes for specific cancers,
drawing on data from health surveys and internal data. In the case of
prostate cancer, the analysis focused on the impact of HCT levels on patient’s survival time. The results showed that higher HCT levels were linked to a reduced risk of several cancers,
including bone, colon, esophagus, prostate, renal, and stomach cancers.
However, higher HCT was associated with an increased risk for cervical cancer,
melanoma, and non-melanoma skin cancer. The study also found that high HCT
levels were linked to risks of prostate and breast cancers, suggesting
a possible protective effect. For patients with prostate cancer, higher HCT levels
were also associated with better survival outcomes. In conclusion, the findings suggest that HCT levels are differentially associated with the risk of various cancers, and that higher HCT may confer a protective factor against certain cancers,
particularly prostate cancer.