Having Tattoos Elevates your Cancer Risk by 21%

A recent study indicates that regardless of its size, getting a tattoo elevates the risk of developing lymphoma by 21%. The researchers emphasize that their aim isn’t to discourage people from getting tattoos but to ensure the safety of the procedure.

Tattoos have become increasingly prevalent compared to a few decades ago. As per the Pew Research Center, 32% of US adults have at least one tattoo, and 22% have multiple tattoos. With tattoos now being more socially accepted, individuals from various walks of life, including pop stars and politicians, are embracing body art.

Accompanying the worldwide surge in tattoo popularity, there has been a significant, yet largely unexplained, uptick in the occurrence of malignant lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system. In a recent study, scientists from Lund University in Sweden investigated whether there was a correlation between the two phenomena.

Identifying Lymphoma Cases and Control Group

“We utilized population registers to identify individuals diagnosed with lymphoma,” stated Christel Nielsen, associate professor of epidemiology at Lund University and the lead author of the study. “These individuals were then matched with a control group of the same sex and age but without lymphoma. Participants in the study completed a questionnaire regarding lifestyle factors to ascertain whether they had tattoos.”

The lymphatic system, integral to the immune system, regulates body fluid levels and guards against infections. There are two primary types of lymphatic system cancer: non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), which constitutes approximately 90% of all lymphomas, and Hodgkin lymphoma. NHL comprises about 40 subtypes, varying in their rate of growth and spread. It is one of the most prevalent cancers in the US and can manifest at any age.

The study encompassed 11,905 Swedish individuals, of whom 2,938 had lymphoma between the ages of 20 and 60 (‘cases’). Among these participants, 54% completed the tattoo questionnaire, while 47% of the controls (those without lymphoma) did the same. The prevalence of tattoos was 21% among cases and 18% among controls.

Impact of Tattoos on Lymphoma Risk

“After adjusting for other pertinent factors like smoking and age, we discovered that individuals with tattoos had a 21% greater likelihood of developing lymphoma,” Nielsen explained. “These findings require validation and further exploration through additional studies, which are currently underway.”

Before analyzing the data, the researchers speculated that larger tattoos might pose a higher risk of lymphoma. However, their findings showed that the risk persisted regardless of tattoo size.

“We don’t yet understand the reason for this,” Nielsen remarked. “One possibility is that regardless of size, a tattoo may trigger a mild inflammation in the body, which could potentially lead to cancer. Thus, the situation appears more complex than we initially assumed.”

Previous studies have detected traces of tattoo ink particles and even metal nanoparticles from tattoo needles in the lymph nodes.

“When tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the body perceives it as foreign and activates the immune system,” Nielsen explained. “A significant portion of the ink is then transported to the lymph nodes and deposited there.”

The researchers will now investigate whether tattoos are linked to other types of cancer and inflammatory diseases. They offer the following guidance:

“People will likely continue to express themselves through tattoos, so it’s crucial for society to ensure their safety,” Nielsen emphasized. “Individually, it’s important to be aware that tattoos can impact your health, and if you experience any symptoms you suspect may be related to your tattoo, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional.”

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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