PEOPLE with tattoos may face a higher risk of skin and blood cancer than those without, a new study has revealed.
Scientists from the University of Southern Denmark explored whether tattoo ink could travel beyond the skin and accumulate in the immune system.
Getting inked could means you’re at greater risk of getting lymphatic cancer[/caption]
Although it’s still not fully clear how or why this could happen, researchers think that tattoo ink could damage lymph nodes, the bean-shaped organs that ward off infection.
Lead author, Henrik Frederiksen, said: “We don’t yet know whether this persistent strain could weaken the function of the lymph nodes or have other health consequences.”
The latest study, published in BMC Public Health, probes the link between tattoos and cancer by analysing the health data of 5,900 twins born between 1960 and 1996 up until 2017.
“The unique aspect of our approach is that we can compare twin pairs where one has cancer but they otherwise share many genetic and environmental factors,” Jacob von Bornemann Hjelmborg, a biostatistician at the university, said.
Over the course of several decades, the risk of lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system, was found to be three times higher for those with large tatts.
Meanwhile, the chances of developing skin cancer was 1.62 times more likely in tattooed individuals.
“For both skin cancer and lymphoma, increased hazards were found for tattoos larger than the palm of a hand,” the study states.
Signe Bedsted Clemmensen, one of the authors, added: “The bigger the tattoo and the longer it has been there, the more ink accumulates in the lymph nodes.”
Previous research by scientists in Sweden found that getting tatted can increase your risk of lymphoma by up to 21 per cent.
The new study also pointed to the potential role of red ink, though the researchers cautioned against drawing firm conclusions
While red ink has been linked to allergic reactions in some of the twins, the study could not definitively confirm whether it is more dangerous than other tattoo colours.
“Some ambiguity arises due to colour effects, as many colours are typically present at the same time,” the researchers said.
Experts believe tattoo ink could trigger an immune response similar to how breast implants can cause BIA-ALCL, a rare lymphoma.
“This pathway does not necessarily involve specific ink agents; however, if carcinogenic compounds are present, the pathway is expectedly different but still leads to increased cancer risk,” the study authors wrote.
Red ink could be more dangerous than other tattoo colours[/caption]
Further studies needed
They acknowledged the increased risk might not be as significant when compared to other factors like sun exposure or smoking, which are already known to increase cancer risk.
“We suspect that the increase in risk might be small when compared to other factors, but the rising popularity of tattoos among younger generations warrants further investigation,” said Signe.
The study also raised concerns about laser tattoo removal and its potential risks, as breaking down ink particles could cause them to spread throughout the body.
“Where do the pigment fragments end up?” the researchers wrote.
They suggested that more studies are needed, particularly into the potential risks of tattooing during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that play a vital role in the immune system.
They are found in clusters throughout the body, especially in areas close to the skin, such as the neck, armpits, groin, and behind the ears.
These glands filter lymphatic fluid, which helps remove waste products and fight off germs.
During an infection, lymph nodes may swell as they trap bacteria and viruses that could harm the body.
Because lymph nodes are located near the skin, you might notice them swelling when an infection occurs.
Besides filtering lymphatic fluid, they also interact with toxins, which can sometimes cause them to become swollen.
Although swollen lymph nodes are often a normal response to infection, they can occasionally signal a more serious condition, such as lymph node cancer or lymphoma.
As tattoos become more popular, the researchers recommend further studies to better understand the long-term health risks.
“A public health policy to prevent tattoo ink-induced carcinogenesis would be to be cautious until further knowledge is obtained,” they concluded.
Signe added: “We want to gain a better understanding of the biological mechanisms – what happens in the lymph nodes when they are exposed to ink particles over decades.”
