A new study from Lund University in Sweden suggests that tattoos could be a risk factor for cancer in the lymphatic system, or lymphoma. Now, the researchers underline the need for more research on the topic.
Our understanding of the long-term health impacts of tattoos is currently limited, with minimal research in this field. A research team at Lund University has now examined the potential link between tattoos and lymphoma.
“We have identified people diagnosed with lymphoma via population registers. These individuals were then matched with a control group of the same sex and age, but without lymphoma. The study participants answered a questionnaire about lifestyle factors to determine whether they were tattooed or not,” says Christel Nielsen, the researcher at Lund University who led the study.
In total, the entire study included 11,905 people. Of these, 2,938 people had lymphoma when they were between 20 and 60 years old. Among them, 1,398 people answered the questionnaire, while the number of participants in the control group was 4,193. In the group with lymphoma, 21 percent were tattooed (289 individuals), while 18 percent were tattooed in the control group without a lymphoma diagnosis (735 individuals).
Findings on Tattoo Risk and 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. 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 investigated further in other studies and such research is ongoing,” says Christel Nielsen.
A hypothesis that Christel Nielsen’s research group had before the study was that the size of the tattoo would affect the lymphoma risk. They thought that a full-body tattoo might be associated with a greater risk of cancer compared to a small butterfly on the shoulder, for example. Unexpectedly, the area of the tattooed body surface turned out not to matter.
“We do not yet know why this was the case. One can only speculate that a tattoo, regardless of size, triggers a low-grade inflammation in the body, which in turn can trigger cancer. The picture is thus more complex than we initially thought.”
Dr Nielsen comments on the new study. Credit: Lund University
Most people get their first tattoo at a young age, which means that you are exposed to tattoo ink for a large part of your life. Even so, research has only scratched the surface of the long-term health effects of tattoos.
“We already know that when the tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the body interprets this as something foreign that should not be there, and the immune system is activated. A large part of the ink is transported away from the skin, to the lymph nodes where it is deposited”, says Christel Nielsen.
The research group will now proceed with studies of whether there is any association between tattoos and other types of cancer. They also want to do further research on other inflammatory diseases to see if there is a link to tattoos.
“People will likely want to continue to express their identity through tattoos, and therefore it is very important that we as a society can make sure that it is safe. For the individual, it is good to know that tattoos can affect your health, and that you should turn to your health care provider if you experience symptoms that you believe could be related to your tattoo,” concludes Christel Nielsen.
Reference: “Tattoos as a risk factor for malignant lymphoma: a population-based case–control study” by Christel Nielsen, Mats Jerkeman and Anna Saxne Jöud, 21 May 2024, eClinicalMedicine.
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102649
News
According to Researchers, Your Breathing Patterns Could Hold the Key to Better Memory
Breathing synchronizes brain waves that support memory consolidation. A new study from Northwestern Medicine reports that, much like a conductor harmonizes various instruments in an orchestra to create a symphony, breathing synchronizes hippocampal brain waves to [...]
The Hidden Culprit Behind Alzheimer’s Revealed: Microglia Under the Microscope
Researchers at the CUNY Graduate Center have made a groundbreaking discovery in Alzheimer’s disease research, identifying a critical link between cellular stress in the brain and disease progression. Their study focuses on microglia, the brain’s immune [...]
“Mirror Bacteria” Warning: A New Kind of Life Could Pose a Global Threat
Mirror life, a concept involving synthetic organisms with reversed molecular structures, carries significant risks despite its potential for medical advancements. Experts warn that mirror bacteria could escape natural biological controls, potentially evolving to exploit [...]
Lingering Viral Fragments: The Hidden Cause of Long COVID
Long COVID, affecting 5-10% of COVID-19 patients, might be caused by the enduring presence of the virus in the body. Research suggests that viral fragments, possibly live, linger and lead to symptoms. Addressing this involves antiviral treatments, enhanced [...]
Hidden Scars: How COVID Lockdowns Altered Teen Brains Forever
Research from the University of Washington revealed that COVID-19 lockdowns led to accelerated cortical thinning in adolescents, impacting brain development significantly. This effect was more pronounced in females than males, raising concerns about long-term brain health. The study [...]
Simple Blood Test To Detect Dementia Before Symptoms Appear
UCLA researchers have identified placental growth factor (PlGF) as a potential blood biomarker for early detection of cognitive impairment and dementia. High PlGF levels correlate with increased vascular permeability, suggesting its role in the development [...]
Investing Goldman Sachs asks ‘Is curing patients a sustainable business model?’
Goldman Sachs analysts attempted to address a touchy subject for biotech companies, especially those involved in the pioneering “gene therapy” treatment: cures could be bad for business in the long run. “Is curing patients [...]
The risks of reversed chirality: Study highlights dangers of mirror organisms
A groundbreaking study evaluates the feasibility, risks, and ethical considerations of creating mirror bacteria with reversed chirality, highlighting potential threats to health and ecosystems. In a recent study published in Science, a team of researchers [...]
Alarming Mutation in H5N1 Virus Raises Pandemic Red Flags
NIH-funded study concludes that the risk of human infection remains low A recent study published in Science and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that a single alteration in a protein on the surface [...]
Scientists Discover Genetic Changes Linked to Autism, Schizophrenia
The Tbx1 gene influences brain volume and social behavior in autism and schizophrenia, with its deficiency linked to amygdala shrinkage and impaired social incentive evaluation. A study published in Molecular Psychiatry has linked changes in brain [...]
How much permafrost will melt this century, and where will its carbon go?
Among the many things global warming will be melting this century—sea ice, land glaciers and tourist businesses in seaside towns across the world—is permafrost. Lying underneath 15% of the northern hemisphere, permafrost consists of [...]
A Physics Discovery So Strange It’s Changing Quantum Theory
MIT physicists surprised to discover electrons in pentalayer graphene can exhibit fractional charge. New theoretical research from MIT physicists explains how it could work, suggesting that electron interactions in confined two-dimensional spaces lead to novel quantum states, [...]
Inside the Nano-Universe: New 3D X-Ray Imaging Transforms Material Science
A cutting-edge X-ray method reveals the 3D orientation of nanoscale material structures, offering fresh insights into their functionality. Researchers at the Swiss Light Source (SLS) have developed a groundbreaking technique called X-ray linear dichroic orientation tomography [...]
X-chromosome study reveals hidden genetic links to Alzheimer’s disease
Despite decades of research, the X-chromosome’s impact on Alzheimer’s was largely ignored until now. Explore how seven newly discovered genetic loci could revolutionize our understanding of the disease. Conventional investigations of the genetic contributors [...]
The Unresolved Puzzle of Long COVID: 30% of Young People Still Suffer After Two Years
A UCL study found that 70% of young people with long Covid recovered within 24 months, but recovery was less likely among older teenagers, females, and those from deprived backgrounds. Researchers emphasized the need [...]
Needle-Free: New Nano-Vaccine Effective Against All COVID-19 Variants
A new nano-vaccine developed by TAU and the University of Lisbon offers a needle-free, room-temperature-storable solution against COVID-19, targeting all key variants effectively. Professor Ronit Satchi-Fainaro’s lab at Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Medical and [...]
