According to SciTechDaily, a new study from Lund University (Sweden) indicates that tattoos may be a risk factor for lymphatic system cancer or lymphoma.
The researchers emphasize the necessity for further investigation into the cancer risks associated with tattoos, particularly as more individuals are embracing body art.
The Hidden Link Between Tattoos and Lymphoma
It can be said that our understanding of the long-term effects of tattoos on health is still limited. Currently, there are very few studies in this area. Consequently, the research team at Lund University decided to examine the potential relationship between tattoos and lymphoma.
Our understanding of the long-term effects of tattoos on health is still limited – (Photo: CNN).
The researchers identified individuals diagnosed with lymphoma through the population registry. These individuals were then matched with a control group of the same gender and age, but without a lymphoma diagnosis.
Christel Nielsen, a researcher at Lund University and the lead of the study, stated that the participants answered a lifestyle questionnaire to determine whether they had tattoos.
The entire study included 11,905 participants. Of these, 2,938 individuals were diagnosed with lymphoma between the ages of 20 and 60. Among them, 1,398 responded to the questionnaire, while the control group consisted of 4,193 participants.
In the lymphoma group, 21% had tattoos (289 individuals), while in the control group, 18% had tattoos (735 individuals).
A Complex Picture Requiring More Research
“After accounting for other related factors, such as smoking and age, we found that the risk of developing lymphoma is 21% higher in individuals with tattoos. It is important to remember that lymphoma is a rare disease and our findings apply at a group level.
These results need to be validated and explored further in additional studies. Such studies are ongoing,” Christel Nielsen noted.
One hypothesis proposed by Christel Nielsen’s research team is that the size of the tattoo may influence the risk of lymphoma. They speculated that individuals with full-body tattoos might have a higher risk of cancer compared to those with only a small butterfly tattoo on their shoulder. Surprisingly, the surface area of the tattoo turned out not to be significant.
“We still do not know why this is the case. One can only speculate that a tattoo, regardless of size, induces a mild inflammatory response in the body, which may lead to cancer. Therefore, the picture is more complex than we initially thought,” Christel explained.
Most people get their first tattoo when they are young, meaning they are exposed to tattoo ink for much of their lives. Nevertheless, this new study has only provided a brief overview of the long-term health effects of tattoos.
“We know that when tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the body recognizes it as a foreign substance that should not be there, and the immune system is activated. A significant amount of ink is transported away from the skin to the lymph nodes, where it is retained,” Christel Nielsen stated.
The research team will now examine whether there is a relationship between tattoos and other types of cancer. They also want to delve deeper into other inflammatory diseases to see if there are links to tattoos.
“People may want to continue expressing their individuality through tattoos. Therefore, it is essential that we ensure that tattooing is safe.
For each individual, it is good to know that tattoos could affect health, and they should consult a healthcare provider if they experience symptoms they believe may be related to their tattoos,” Christel Nielsen concluded.
