Tattoo ink may increase skin cancer risk, study finds

Scientists have raised concerns about a possible link between tattoos and an increased risk of skin cancer. The study, which looked at 2,600 twins from Denmark, found that those with tattoos were more likely to develop skin cancer compared to their un-inked siblings. The research showed that tattoo size plays a significant role in cancer risk. Individuals with tattoos larger than the size of a palm faced a tripled risk of developing lymphoma. Interestingly, the risk did not vary much with different colors of tattoo ink. Published in BMC Public Health, the researchers warned that tattoo ink might interact negatively with surrounding cells, potentially leading to serious health issues. They called for more studies to improve public health awareness on this topic. Tattoo ink is placed beneath the skin and can fade over time as the body breaks it down. This process may allow ink particles to enter the bloodstream and accumulate in lymph nodes, which could disrupt the immune system and lead to cancer. The University of Southern Denmark plans to explore how ink particles affect lymph node function at a molecular level. Lead researcher Signe Bedsted Clemmensen emphasized the need to understand the biological effects of ink exposure over time to assess health risks more accurately.