Tattoos Linked to Increased Risk of Lymphoma, Study Finds

Researchers from Lund University in Sweden have made a groundbreaking discovery linking tattoos to an increased risk of a deadly type of blood cancer known as lymphoma. The study, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, reveals that individuals with tattoos are 21 percent more likely to develop lymphoma compared to those without tattoos.

Lymphoma is a cancer that targets white blood cells, essential components of the body's immune system responsible for combating infections. The study suggests that the carcinogenic chemicals found in tattoo ink are to blame. When tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the body perceives it as a foreign substance, prompting the immune system to respond. This reaction leads to a low-grade inflammation, which can potentially trigger cancer.

The prevalence of tattoos is significant, especially among younger adults. In the United States, 46 percent of individuals aged 30 to 49 have at least one tattoo, and 22 percent of people of all ages have more than one. Despite the potential risks, interest in getting tattoos remains high, with 15 percent of Americans without tattoos expressing a likelihood of getting one in the future, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center.

The study involved identifying individuals with lymphoma, aged between 20 and 60, from population registers and matching them with a control group of the same age and sex without a lymphoma diagnosis. Both groups were surveyed about their lifestyle habits, including whether they had tattoos. Approximately 1,400 people with lymphoma and 4,193 people in the control group participated in the survey. In the lymphoma group, 21 percent (289 individuals) had tattoos, compared to 18 percent (735 individuals) in the control group.

After adjusting for factors such as smoking and age, the researchers concluded that tattooed individuals had a 21 percent higher risk of developing lymphoma. The study also investigated whether the size of the tattoo influenced cancer risk but found that the extent of tattooed body surface did not affect the likelihood of developing lymphoma.

"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," said Christel Nielsen, the lead researcher at Lund University.

Moving forward, the research team plans to explore potential links between tattoos and other types of cancer. Lymphoma comes in two primary forms: non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma, named after English doctor Thomas Hodgkin who first identified it in 1832, affects around 2,000 people annually in the UK and 8,500 people in the US, with a five-year survival rate of 89 percent. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma impacts about 8,600 people each year in the US and 14,000 in the UK, with an 83 percent survival rate if the cancer is confined to a single region.

Lymphoma occurs when white blood cells in the lymphatic system mutate into rapidly growing cancer cells that do not die. These mutated cells accumulate in the lymph nodes, forming cancerous masses. While most genetic mutations leading to cancer occur without a known cause, factors such as viruses (e.g., HIV), a weak immune system, or autoimmune diseases may increase the risk.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TOP KNOWLEDGE MEDIA.

Contact: toppknowledgemedia@gmail.com

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The TOP KNOWLEDGE MEDIA on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Join Top Knowledge Media Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEUCpP4NVigCMWy8J22