Tattoos
Disturbing New Research on Tattoos
Getting a Tattoo Increases the Risk of Developing Lymphoma by 21%. Do you have one?
Recent research has unveiled a disturbing link between tattoos and a higher risk of lymphoma. This is crucial information for the 32% of U.S. adults with tattoos.
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Tattoo inks often contain hidden ingredients that can be harmful, potentially leading to cancer and organ damage. Those are the s warning that tattoos might be exposing people to inks that contain organ-damaging chemicals.
The New Findings from a Swedish Study
The recent Swedish study involving 11,905 participants found that people with tattoos have a 21% higher risk of developing lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
And the risk associated with tattoo exposure is highest for a slow-growing but incurable cancer () and for a fast-growing but curable cancer () that starts in white blood cells.
While these results need further verification, similar findings have been reported in other studies.
Support from U.S. Studies
Supporting evidence from a study by the NIH’s National Library of Medicine shows similar results and concludes that anatomical damages caused by exposure to the same chemicals revealing significant anatomical damage.
How Tattoos Affect the Body
When tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the body’s immune system perceives it as a foreign substance, triggering a response. Much of the ink is transported to the lymph nodes, where it is deposited, potentially causing low-grade inflammation and increasing cancer risk. The size of the tattoo does not impact this risk; even small tattoos can trigger this inflammatory response.
The size of the tattoo does not affect the lymphoma risk, but a tattoo, regardless of size, triggers a low-grade inflammation in the body, and in turn, this is what can trigger cancer.
The FDA’s Stance
Given the likely continued popularity of tattoos, it’s important to be aware that the FDA does not regulate tattoo inks. tattoo inks to be cosmetics and their pigments to be color additives, so ink pigments are not regulated on the federal level. However, some municipalities have outlawed them.
More Risk for Those Under 20-Years-Old
at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting for developing slow-growing blood cancers or malignancies (myeloid neoplasms).
Receiving a first tattoo before the age of 20 years old was associated with an elevated risk of myeloid neoplasms compared with never receiving a tattoo (2.00 [0.91–4.38). However, receiving a first tattoo at age 20 years or older was associated with an elevated risk of lymphoma (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.84–1.83), “though the estimates were imprecise,” the study’s authors wrote.
What You Need to Know
It’s likely that people will continue to express their identity through tattoos, so it’s important to watch for symptoms. Take note of the symptoms below and get medical care if you notice them following application of tattoos.
At the minimum, even if they’re not cancer, they might be signs of an infection that needs to be treated with antibiotics, possibly for months — or even require hospitalization.
- redness
- rashes that don’t heal
- unusual bumps
- high fever
- shaking
- chills, and sweats
The Growing Popularity of Tattoos
Tattoos have become more common and socially acceptable in recent years, with celebrities and sports figures sporting ink. While correlation does not imply causation, it’s crucial to consider that many individuals with tattoos might also engage in other unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking or consuming processed foods with harmful chemicals.
A Call for Awareness
Just as people are now aware of the link between smoking and lung cancer, it’s essential for tattoo parlors to inform clients about the potential cancer risks associated with tattoos. At a minimum, a simple sign stating, “Tattoos may increase the risk of cancer,” could help raise awareness and encourage informed decisions. Stay Informed and Think Before You Ink.
