Tattoos Linked to Higher Cancer Risk: New Study Reveals Alarming Findings

Jewish law forbids getting tattoos of any kind. While there are many religious reasons for this prohibition, a new medical concern may also discourage anyone considering the idea. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have found that tattooed individuals face a 21% higher risk of developing lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects white blood cells (which fight infections), compared to those without tattoos.

The study’s findings indicate that tattoo ink poses a health risk. It is injected into the skin, affects the immune system, and causes low-grade inflammation that can potentially lead to cancer.

It’s important to understand that lymphoma develops when white blood cells mutate into cancerous cells that grow uncontrollably and don’t die off as they should. These cells form cancerous masses, and in some cases, can be fatal.

The study examined only participants between the ages of 20 and 60, some of whom had lymphoma. They filled out questionnaires and were asked whether they had tattoos. Among the lymphoma patients, 21% had tattoos. The researchers emphasized that this wasn’t the only factor considered in drawing their conclusions. Kristina Nielsen, one of the lead researchers, stated: “We accounted for other relevant factors, such as smoking and age, and still found that the risk of developing lymphoma was higher among those with tattoos.”

The amount of skin area tattooed didn’t affect the risk. “A tattoo, regardless of its size, induces low-grade inflammation in the body, which can potentially cause cancer. The picture is more complex than we initially thought,” Nielsen added.