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According to the results of a new study which compared twins with and without tattoos, getting some ink could increase the risk of getting certain cancers. The study found that the tattooed twins were significantly more likely to develop skin cancer or lymphoma than their siblings whose skin was ink-free.
In a cohort study, conducted by researchers from the Department of Public Health and the Department of Clinical Research at the University of Southern Denmark, together with the University of Helsinki, 2,367 randomly-selected twins’ cancer diagnoses were compared and it was discovered that those who had tattoos had nearly four times (3.91) the risk of skin cancer.
In the case-control study, the researchers compared 316 Danish twins born between 1960 and 1996 where one of the siblings had already been diagnosed with cancer. Among this group, it was discovered that there was between 33 and 62 percent greater risk of a tattooed twin developing cancer. On top of that, twins with tattoos larger than their palm were three times more likely to develop cancer than those without tattoos.
“When tattoo ink penetrates the skin, some of it is absorbed into the lymph nodes,” the study’s authors wrote. “The researchers are particularly concerned that tattoo ink may trigger chronic inflammation in the lymph nodes, which over time could lead to abnormal cell growth and an increased risk of cancer.”
The scientists did issue one caveat, writing, “It’s important to note, firstly, that cancers like lymphoma are quite rare, so this increase is from a low baseline. What’s more, this is not evidence that tattoos cause cancer. It may be those who get tattoos are more at risk of cancer thanks to factors related to a decision to get tattoos.”
“In our study, we do not see a clear link between cancer occurrence and specific ink colors, but this does not mean that color is irrelevant,” said University of Southern Denmark biostatistician Signe Bedsted Clemmensen. “We know from other studies that ink can contain potentially harmful substances, and for example, red ink more often causes allergic reactions. This is an area we would like to explore further.”
The problem, according to Odense University hematologist Henrik Frederiksen, is that body perceives the ink particles that accumulate in the lymph nodes as foreign substances. “This may mean that the immune system is constantly trying to respond to the ink, and we do not yet know whether this persistent strain could weaken the function of the lymph nodes or have other health consequences,” he explained.
The researchers now plan to investigate how ink particles affect the function of lymph nodes at a molecular level and whether certain types of lymphoma are more linked to tattoos than others. A full report of their research thus far was published in the journal BMC Public Health.
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