A recent study suggests that tattoos might be associated with an increased risk of a rare form of cancer by 21%, according to health experts. Professor Christel Nielsen from Lund University in Sweden highlighted findings from a study involving nearly 5,600 participants, indicating a potential link between tattoos and malignant lymphoma.
The study, published in eClinicalMedicine, investigated whether tattoos could elevate the risk of lymphoma, a cancer affecting white blood cells. Researchers noted that tattoo ink, perceived as foreign by the body, triggers an immune response, potentially leading ink particles to accumulate in the lymph nodes.
Sweden, known for its high tattoo rates, provided the backdrop for the study, utilizing its comprehensive National Cancer Register. Researchers examined data from Swedes aged 20 to 60 diagnosed with lymphoma between 2007 and 2017. Each lymphoma case was compared with three individuals of similar age and gender without the disease.
Participants completed detailed lifestyle questionnaires, focusing on tattoo specifics like size, age at first tattoo, and ink colors. Analysis of 5,591 individuals revealed a 21% higher risk of lymphoma among tattooed participants, even after adjusting for smoking and education levels.
Professor Nielsen emphasized the rarity of lymphoma and clarified that while the risk increase is notable, it corresponds to a low baseline risk. The duration of tattoos appeared significant, with heightened risk observed for recent tattoos (received within two years) and older tattoos (over ten years old), regardless of their size.
The findings underscore ongoing concerns about tattoo ink safety and its potential health implications, prompting further research into long-term effects on lymphatic health.