A new study suggests that getting a tattoo might raise the risk of cancer, especially for those with larger tattoos. The research, which examined over 2,000 Danish twins, found that people with tattoos were 62% more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer.
The study also revealed that the bigger the tattoo, the greater the risk. People with tattoos larger than the size of a palm had a 137% higher chance of developing skin cancer. Additionally, the risk of lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, increased by 173%.
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This study supports previous research linking tattoos to a higher cancer risk. Scientists believe tattoo ink may cause long-term inflammation and abnormal cell growth. Black ink, the most commonly used tattoo color, contains harmful substances that could be linked to cancer.
Another concern is that tattoo particles can move through the body and collect in lymph nodes, which may trigger an immune system response. “We see ink particles in the lymph nodes, and we suspect the body sees them as harmful,” said researcher Henrik Frederiksen from Odense University Hospital.
However, the study did not consider participants’ sun exposure, which is also a major factor in cancer risk.
