A recent study's scientists have voiced their 'concern' following discoveries indicating that long-term exposure to tattoo ink might amplify the risk of cancer. This comes at a juncture when tattoos are increasingly common, with one in three young adults boasting at least one permanent piece.
Leveraging data from the Danish Twin Tattoo cohort, the research compared 2,600 twins, focusing on cases where one twin was tattooed and the other was not. Evidence from the study revealed that individuals with tattoos had a 1.62-fold increased likelihood of developing skin cancer compared to their tattoo-free counterparts.
The study, also noted the significance of tattoo size with respect to risk levels. Those adorned with tattoos larger than the size of a palm faced significantly higher risks of skin cancer and lymphoma.
Indeed, the risk of developing lymphoma was found to be tripled for those sporting larger tattoos. Yet, it appeared that the incidence of cancer did not vary greatly between different tattoo ink colours.
The findings, documented in BMC Public Health, prompted the Danish researchers to sound an alarm: "We are concerned that tattoo ink interacting with surrounding cells may have severe consequences.", reports [the Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/link-between-tattoos-cancer-leaves-34928095).
They advocated for additional research to "benefit public health".
Tattoo ink resides beneath the skin layer, fading as the body, deeming it foreign, metabolises it over time. The fragments can enter the bloodstream and cluster in lymph nodes nearby, potentially leading to issues.
Concerns have arisen that the immune system could be perpetually trying to eliminate tattoo ink, potentially compromising lymph nodes. This may lead to lymphatic system dysfunction and an increased potential for cancer development.
To delve deeper into these preliminary findings, a team from the University of Southern Denmark is gearing up for further research. They aim to scrutinise the interaction between ink particles and lymph node function at the minute molecular scale.
Their goal is to ascertain if specific types of lymphoma are more closely linked to tattoos.
Assistant Professor Signe Bedsted Clemmensen, one of the principal investigators at the university, elaborated on their objectives: "We want to gain a better understanding of the biological mechanisms-what happens in the lymph nodes when they are exposed to ink particles over decades? This can help us assess whether there is a real health risk and what we might do to reduce it."