Associations between whole blood donation and cancer incidence: a systematic review

Whole blood (WB) donation has played a critical role in the healthcare system worldwide. However, its long-term safety for donors, particularly regarding the risk of cancer, remains controversial. We systematically reviewed the literature to examine whether WB donation is associated with altered cancer risk among donors. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from September 1990 to December 7, 2024, without time restrictions. Only English-language publications were included. Of 4,078 records screened, eleven studies met the eligibility criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS), and findings were summarized in Tables and Figures. Most studies found no significant association between WB donation and overall cancer risk once adjusted for the healthy donor effect (HDE). Reported associations varied across cancer types but were inconsistent and often limited by residual confounding. Current evidence does not support an increased risk of cancer among WB donors. Further well-designed studies with robust methods to address HDE are warranted to confirm these findings.