Nowadays tattoos are commonly done, especially by younger age groups. There has been a lot of debate around the risk of developing cancer when getting a tattoo done. While many claim that tattoos can cause life-altering diseases like cancer, we need to find if that holds any truth. Tattoos have been linked as a risk factor to various cancers like skin cancer, blood cancers etc.
Some previous evidence did suggest a loose connection between tattoos and cancer. A combined study from across borders from British Columbia and Canada of 1518 participants in 2020 found no connection between tattooing and incidence in Lymphoma. But a population-based study consisting of 11,905 participants from Swedish National cancer registry published in 2024 found an increase in the incidence of Lymphoma by 21% among those with tattoos. The type of Lymphoma with increased risk associated with tattoo exposure seemed to be highest for diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma and Follicular Lymphoma.
What is lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the Lymphatic System, which is formed by a network of vessels and lymph nodes throughout the body. The Lymphatic system helps our immune system fight off infections. Lymphoma are of two types: non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Can getting tattoos cause cancer?
Dr. Harshit Shah, Associate Surgical Oncologist, Fortis Hospital Kalyan says, “Tattooed pigments often migrate to the regional lymph nodes within a few weeks of being tattooed, leading to staining and swelling of these nodes. Immune cells in the skin can react to the chemicals in tattoo ink and travel to nearby lymph nodes, triggering an immune reaction. Tattoo inks are a mix of organic and inorganic colour pigments. Coloured inks may contain primary aromatic amines and black inks often contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and some metals like Arsenic, Chromium, Cobalt, Lead, Nickel etc. Few of the chemicals in tattoo ink are classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.”
According to Dr Shishir N. Shetty, Senior Consultant-Surgical Oncology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi, “Any potential connection between tattoos and Lymphoma has not been well studied. The above study only established a correlation and doesn’t assert that tattoos cause Lymphoma. The study did not mention the incidence of Lymphoma in participants with tattoo ink. In fact, this study also mentioned that the size of a tattoo didn’t have any connection with the incidence of Lymphoma.”Hence the “study” does raise questions about the connection of tattoos and Lymphoma as the majority of patients with tattoos don’t develop Lymphoma. Also, the incidence of Lymphoma is less than 4% of all cancers which makes it even less worrisome to be scared from being tattooed. Hence, as there is still no conclusive evidence, one can be assured that they won’t suffer from cancer just because they are getting a tattoo.
