Tattoos may increase risk of lymphoma, new study warns

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FILE – A tattoo artist prepares the tattoo machine and is ready to start work in a tattoo studio. (Photo by Pablo Varela/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

In today's world of self-expression, tattoos continue to grow in appeal.

But a new study reveals a surprising fact: People with tattoos: Develop lymphoma.

A study from Lund University in Sweden found that having a tattoo increases the chance of developing lymphoma, regardless of the size of the tattoo.

Dr. Christer Nielsen, lead author of the study, emphasized the cultural significance of tattoos: A type of body art.

“People will continue to express their identity through tattoos, so it's really important that as a society we make sure tattoos are safe,” Dr Nielsen said in a statement.

The comments highlight the broader health and safety implications of the growing tattoo epidemic.

Let's take a closer look here.

Most common cancer types in people with tattoos

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that attacks the lymphatic system, a key component of the body's immune defenses.

The study found that the most common cancers in people with tattoos were diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The American Cancer Society points out: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma It is one of the most common cancers in the United States, accounting for approximately 4% of all cancers.

The Cancer Society estimates that approximately 80,620 people will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma this year.

The new study, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, spanned 10 years and included 11,905 participants aged between 20 and 60 years.

Of this group, 2,938 had lymphoma. Participants, including those diagnosed with lymphoma and those in the control group, were asked to complete a detailed questionnaire about their tattoos.

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In this study, Tattoo Size Regarding lymphoma risk, the study found that the risk of lymphoma was highest among people who had their first tattoo less than two years ago.

The researchers say more research and efforts are needed.

The report comes at a key time when tattoos are becoming increasingly popular across all age groups.

A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in August 2023 showed the prevalence of tattoos among Americans, finding that 32% of adults have at least one tattoo.

Of these, 22% have multiple tattoos on their body. Furthermore, according to data from the Pew Research Center, tattoos More common in women More than men.

Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the inks or pigments used in tattoos. While the FDA has some oversight of tattooing, actual regulation is left to state and local jurisdictions.

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Fox News Medical Contributor Dr. Janet Neshewat, A dual board-certified physician practicing in New York expressed concern about the issue: “Ink is thought to be carcinogenic,” she said.

“Your immune system is activated in response to the ink that you put into your body,” Dr. Nesheiwat recently told “FOX & Friends First.”

Tattoos seem to become more accepted and commonplace every year, and that's probably due in large part to their adoption. Between the two celebrities And many more.

This acceptance is in line with Fortune Business Insights' predictions that the global tattoo market will more than double by 2032, from $2.22 billion to $4.83 billion.

But despite the growth of the market, there is little comprehensive information on the long-term health effects of tattoos.

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While the Lund University researchers acknowledge that their findings have limitations, they call for more comprehensive research into the relationship between tattoos and various health conditions.

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The researchers now plan to investigate links between tattoos and different types of cancer and inflammatory diseases.

As tattoos grow in popularity, the research community is eager to understand the full extent of their impact on human health.

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