Tattoos and Lymphoma Risk: What Every Health Enthusiast Should Know

A recent study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine suggests a link between tattoos and an increased risk of developing malignant lymphoma, a blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system. However, the study only established a correlation and does not assert that tattoos cause lymphoma. As a professional content writer, it is essential to understand the potential link between tattoos and cancer to help people make informed decisions.

The Background

Tattooing has grown in popularity in recent years, with 32% of Americans having a tattoo by 2023, compared to 23% in 2010. This growth has led researchers to investigate how tattoos affect the body. While previous studies suggested a loose connection between tattoos and cancer, new research is shedding more light on the topic.

For example, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified some chemicals found in tattoo ink such as primary aromatic amines as carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic, though mostly only when ingested, inhaled, or applied on top of the skin. Studies have also shown that pigment from tattoos ends up being filtered by and stored in the lymph nodes, where some lymphoma cases begin.

The Study

The study, led by Christel Nielsen, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the division of occupational and environmental medicine at Lund University in Sweden, involved a population-based case-control study using the Swedish National Cancer Register, a national health database. Nielsen and her colleagues identified every case of malignant lymphoma diagnosed in about 12, 000 people aged 20 to 60 between 2007 and 2017. The researchers then compared the data to answers from a questionnaire they distributed in 2021, which asked people if they had tattoos and, if so, how many and how large an area the ink covered.

About 20% of the people had tattoos, and researchers discovered that having a tattoo was associated with about a 21% increased risk of lymphoma. Importantly, the study concluded that the size of the tattoo didn’t affect the risk factor. It was highest in people who received a tattoo less than two years before their lymphoma diagnosis. The risk decreased until 11 years between tattooing and diagnosis, when it rose again.

The Reaction and Conclusion

While some experts not involved in the study cautioned against making too much of the results, they agreed that it raised questions. Catherine Diefenbach, MD, a hematologist-oncologist at NYU Langone in New York, told Health that she’s even skeptical about the most recent study’s conclusions. The finding that there was a heightened risk of lymphoma within two years of getting a tattoo and then again after 11 years doesn’t add up, she said.

The study’s authors also caution that it is essential to keep in mind that lymphoma is a rare disease, and the increase relates to a baseline risk that is very low. While some environmental factors do raise the chances of cancer, tattoos aren’t established as one of them. There’s no reason to panic if you have a tattoo or are considering getting one.

So What’s the Verdict?

As a healthcare magazine editor, here’s what you should know about the potential link between tattoos and cancer:

• The study suggests a link between tattoos and an increased risk of developing malignant lymphoma, but other factors also play a role, including exposure to certain chemical substances.
• Tattoos are still considered relatively safe, and most people with tattoos do not develop lymphoma.
• As with any study, more research is needed to reach a definitive conclusion on the impact of tattoos on lymphoma risk.

It’s always essential to weigh the risks and benefits of any medical procedures, and getting a tattoo is no exception. While a simple tattoo is not likely to have significant health risks, it’s always best to research and understand the risk factors associated with the decision before going ahead.

As a professional content writer, it is your responsibility to provide informative articles that are accurate, reliable, and trustworthy, as trusted sources play an essential role in helping people make informed decisions.

Originally Post From https://www.health.com/study-tattoos-linked-lymphoma-8658928

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