Having a tattoo, regardless of size, increases the risk of developing lymphoma by 21%, according to a new study.
Researchers from Lund University in Sweden analyzed 11,905 participants – 2,938 of whom had lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, between the ages of 20 and 60. Participants who had lymphoma and participants who were part of the control group completed a questionnaire about tattoos.
The study — published May 21 in eClinicalMedicine — found that the risk of developing lymphoma was 21% higher among those who were tattooed. The risk of lymphoma was also highest in people who had their first tattoo less than two years ago.
In addition, the researchers found that there was no evidence of an increased risk with larger tattoos.
The study found that the most common types of cancer were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.
“After taking into account other relevant factors, such as smoking and age, we found that the risk of developing lymphoma was 21 percent higher among those who were tattooed,” study author Dr. Christel Nielsen said in a statement. professor at Lund University. . “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 further investigated in other studies, and such research is ongoing.”
Study reveals potential health risks associated with tattoos
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“We already know that when tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the body interprets it as something foreign that shouldn’t be there and the immune system is activated,” she continued. “Much of the ink is transported away from the skin, to the lymph nodes where it is deposited.”
The researchers said they will now examine whether or not there is a link between tattoos and other forms of cancer and inflammatory diseases.
“People will probably want to continue to express their identity with tattoos and so it’s very important that we as a society can make sure that’s safe,” Nielsen said. “It is good for the individual to know that tattoos can affect your health and that you should contact your doctor if you experience symptoms that you believe may be related to your tattoo.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, tattoos can also make the skin prone to infection, since they break through the skin’s barrier. People can often have allergic reactions to tattoo inks, which can cause rashes. Although not common, tattoos can also lead to MRI complications because pigments can interfere with image quality.
In August 2023, the Pew Research Center released data showing that 32% of adults have a tattoo. Among them, 22% have more than one tattoo on their body.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education