Study reveals possible link between tattoos and rare form of cancer

A study has revealed the possible link between tattoos and a rare form of cancer.

The study in question, which was published in the Journal of eClinicalMedicine, looked at 11,905 people, and out of that cohort – 2,938 people – aged between 20 and 60-years-old, had lymphoma – a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system.

It specifically affects white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are an important part of a person’s immune system.

However, it is worth mentioning that just because you have tattoos, it doesn’t mean you will develop lymphona, as Dr Christel Nielsen, the researcher who led the Swedish study, said: “It is important to remember that lymphoma is a rare disease and that our results apply at the group level.

“The results now need to be verified and investigated further in other studies, and such research is ongoing.”

Out of the 11,905 people, over half (54 per cent) of the 2,938 people with lymphoma answered a questionnaire about tattoos, whereas 47 percent of the control group, who did not have lymphoma, answered theirs.

Researchers found that 21 percent (289 people) were tattooed in the group with lymphoma compared to 18 percent in the control group without a lymphoma diagnosis (735 people).

The research then investigated other factors that may impact the group, including smoking and age.

After doing so, they found that the risk of developing lymphoma was 21 percent higher among those who were tattooed.

However, the size of the tattoo did not seem to impact things meaning that, for example, a full back piece didn’t increase the risk any more than a small ankle stamp tat would.

Following the findings, the researchers were not completely sure at why the reason for this was.

Researchers found that the size of tattoo didn’t increase the risk. (Alvaro Medina Jurado / Getty Images)

Dr Nielsen said: “One can only speculate that a tattoo, regardless of size, triggers a low-grade inflammation in the body, which in turn can trigger cancer. “The picture is thus more complex than we initially thought.”

The research lead continued: “We already know that when the tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the body interprets this as something foreign that should not be there and the immune system is activated.

“A large part of the ink is transported away from the skin, to the lymph nodes where it is deposited.”

However, the study says more research is needed to fully explore the effects of tattoos in relation to other types of cancers.

“People will likely want to continue to express their identity through tattoos, and therefore it is very important that we as a society can make sure that it is safe.” Nielsen said.

“For the individual, it is good to know that tattoos can affect your health, and that you should turn to your health care provider if you experience symptoms that you believe could be related to your tattoo.”

You can find out more about Non-Hodgkin lymphoma here and Hodgkin lymphoma here on the official NHS website.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.

Featured Image Credit: bymuratdeniz/Getty/Alvaro Medina Jurado/Getty

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