A recent study published by The Lancet suggests a possible association between exposure to tattoo ink and an increased risk of malignant lymphoma, with tattooed individuals having a 21% higher risk of developing lymphoma. Scientists from the University of Southern Denmark and the University of Helsinki conducted the research by analyzing health data from the Danish Twin Tattoo Cohort, which includes over 5,900 twins, to investigate the effects of tattoo ink on the body.
The researchers compared nearly 2,400 randomly selected twins born between 1960 and 1996, as well as 316 twins in which one twin had been diagnosed with cancer. They discovered that tattooed individuals are more frequently diagnosed with skin cancer and lymphoma compared to those without tattoos.
The study found that tattooed individuals have a higher risk of developing skin cancer and lymphoma compared to those without tattoos. This risk is especially pronounced in individuals with large tattoos, defined as larger than the palm of the hand. Tattoos larger than the palm of the hand increase the risk of skin cancer by nearly 2.4 times. The rate of lymphoma is almost three times higher in individuals with large tattoos compared to those without tattoos.
The researchers noted that when tattoo ink is injected into the skin, ink particles can migrate and accumulate within lymph nodes, potentially affecting the immune system and playing a role in cancer development. “We can see that ink particles accumulate in the lymph nodes, and we suspect that the body perceives them as foreign substances,” said Henrik Frederiksen. He added, This may mean that the immune system tries to respond constantly to the ink, and we still don't know if this persistent stress could weaken lymph node function or have other health consequences.
Tattoo inks contain various compounds, including metals, organic pigments, primary aromatic amines, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which raise concerns about their safety and potential carcinogenic properties. The accumulation of ink particles in lymph nodes could lead to chronic inflammation, potentially resulting in abnormal cell growth and a higher risk of cancer over time.
“Our study suggests that there is an increased risk of getting cancer if one has tattoos,” said Signe Bedsted Clemmensen, an assistant professor in biostatistics at the University of Southern Denmark. “It is too early to say whether the connection between tattoos and cancer is causal or not. There is reason to be suspicious, but more studies are needed,” she noted.
The researchers acknowledge that determining the exact relationship between tattoos and cancer is complex because cancer development can take years, and the effects of the inks may manifest decades later, making it difficult to measure a direct effect. They plan to investigate how ink particles affect lymph node function at the molecular level.
“Such claims generate unnecessary social alarm,” said Dr. Donís Muñoz, a dermatologist from the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. He added, “In my 40 years of experience as a professional, I have never seen a tattoo cause skin cancer.”
Despite the findings, the researchers cannot say how much the cancer risk is increased if someone has a tattoo, and it is uncertain whether many small tattoos could also increase the risk of cancer; research has not yet confirmed or denied this. They also plan to study whether certain types of lymphoma are more related to tattoos than others.
As tattoos become increasingly prevalent, more longitudinal studies are needed to fully understand any potential long-term implications for skin health, particularly regarding the inflammatory responses triggered by the tattooing process.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.