Nigerians are being warned by cancer experts about the dangers of getting tattoos, a popular form of body modification that has been linked to an increased risk of blood cancers, including lymphoma.
Naijatraffic discovered that, The experts explain that harmful chemicals in tattoo inks, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, can trigger immune reactions and genetic damage, leading to blood cancers.
This warning comes after a cancer survivor’s striking tattoo garnered widespread attention online, sparking interest in getting similar tattoos.
However, doctors caution that tattooing involves injecting ink into the skin, which can enter the lymphatic system and cause cellular changes that lead to lymphoma.
The type and location of tattoo ink used are significant factors in determining the risk of developing blood cancers, according to Dr. Charles Okwonna. Despite the popularity of tattoos, Nigerians are advised to be aware of the potential risks and take necessary precautions.
The 2024 Ojude Oba Day celebration highlighted the trend, with a cancer survivor’s tattoo garnering admiration online.
Farooq Oreagba, a charismatic cancer survivor, stole the show with his striking tattoo, but experts urge caution, emphasizing the potential dangers of tattooing and the importance of understanding the risks involved.
With many Nigerians expressing interest in getting tattoos, experts in oncology and haematology are sounding the alarm, warning of the potential risks and encouraging caution.
According to a cancer expert at St. Luke’s Cancer Centre in the UK, the risk of developing blood cancers from tattoos is greater for individuals who get them in areas close to lymph nodes, such as the neck, armpits, and groin.
These areas are more prone to immune reactions due to increased chemical absorption.
The expert emphasized that the quality of tattoo ink and the tattooing process also play a significant role in increasing the risk of blood cancers.
Specifically, lower-quality inks with higher levels of impurities and less skilled tattoo artists may increase the risks.
Okwonna stated, “Tattoo increases the risk of any of these blood cancers but it is more linked with lymphomas. This has been established recently.
“During the process of drawing tattoos, the ink that is used contains a carcinogenic or has been shown to contain a carcinogenic chemical, which we call the polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and these chemicals have been implicated also in cancers of other parts of the body, especially of the nasopharyngeal.
“Recently it has been shown through multiple studies, especially in Europe, that some of those inks contain these chemicals. What happens is, in the process of drawing the tattoo, these chemicals elicit some kind of complex reaction in the body, which we call an immunologic reaction.
“So, when the chemicals get injected into you either locally or sometimes, it gets absorbed through the little lymphatic channels around the skin area where you’re having it, it gets absorbed. Systemically, your body sees this as a foreign body trying to invade it and then elicits an immune reaction.
“The body elicits an immune reaction that tries to fight those chemicals. In the process of eliciting this immune reaction, over time, that immunity kind of gets exaggerated. When that happens, that’s when it starts to transform from being a normal immunologic reaction, to dysplasia (the presence of cells of an abnormal type within a tissue, which may signify a stage preceding the development of cancer), and then transform to a malignant immune reaction.”
He said, “What this means is that when you get an infection or when your body sees something coming to it like a foreign body, the body releases some cells, and these cells are immunologic. They include white blood cells, mast cells, and all that. So these cells’s basic work is to try to release some chemical substances that will fight those foreign things and prevent them from causing harm to the body.”
The oncologist, Dr. Okwonna, noted that individuals differ in their susceptibility to developing cancer from tattoos due to varying immune responses.
He highlighted that factors like overall immune system resilience and skin type, with melanin potentially offering some protection, influence how people react differently to tattoo-related immune reactions.
“I will not be able to tell you the particular types of ink, but I know for sure that there are grades to this thing. And then, the more polished it is, the less likely it is to have impurities and heavy metals that will cause you this kind of immune reaction.
“Also, the process of tattooing itself is also an issue, and the site of the tattooing.
“So, having a tattoo somewhere distant, maybe on your feet, anywhere below your knee or even below your elbows, for instance, it’s less likely to involve lymph nodes as opposed to having a tattoo just at your neck or very close to your armpit or, close to your groin.
“So, the chances are that drawing a tattoo in these areas where you have a very high presence of lymph nodes, will likely get those ink, and those chemicals that are in those inks absorbed very easily into the lymph nodes around that area.
“So the more the concentration of these in that area, the higher the chance of eliciting the immune reaction. So that’s why I talk about the sites, and then the process itself; the less sharp the tattoo blade itself is or the needle, the more the potential to elicit an immune reaction,” he noted.
The doctor emphasized the need for tighter regulations in the tattoo industry, noting that many artists prioritize profits over safety.
He urged the government and relevant agencies to establish and enforce standards that guarantee safe ink ingredients, professional practices, and post-tattoo health checkups to ensure the well-being of clients.
Okwonna stated, “The government should set minimum standards for the inks and instruments used in tattoos.
“Additionally, health checks should be mandatory after the tattooing process to detect any potential health problems early.”
Dr. Olaniyi Owoeye, a Consultant Haematologist at C Lab Nigeria, concurred that tattoo inks contain harmful chemicals capable of causing genetic damage and increasing the risk of developing blood cancers.
Dr. Olaniyi Owoeye, a lecturer at Olabisi Onabanjo University and Consultant Haematologist at C Lab Nigeria, explained that tattoo ink enters the bloodstream, accumulates in lymph nodes, and can cause genetic damage over time, leading to lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
He emphasized that the risk of cancer is linked to the ink used, regardless of tattoo size or location.
While not everyone who gets a tattoo will develop cancer, certain individuals may be more susceptible due to factors like genetic variations, lifestyle choices like smoking, and other health conditions, making it difficult to predict who will develop cancer after getting a tattoo.
He further emphasized, “One thing I would also like to point out is that the ink may not just be the single most important factor. There are also so many other factors like the lifestyle of the person doing tattoos, does the person smokes, and so many of those risk behaviours predisposed to cancers. So, it’s like a conglomeration of factors.
“There are a whole lot of factors that determine someone’s predisposition to cancers. And of course, I am sure a lot of people will agree with me that several people have tattoos, and they don’t end up having cancers.
“Some people even get exposed to some of these carcinogens, and they don’t eventually end up even having cancer. That shows you that there are a whole lot of factors that determine susceptibility to cancer. There are a lot of genetic variations from people to people that can affect that. And as I said earlier on, it’s like a conglomeration of factors.”
He noted, “Formation of cancers is not usually something that only a single factor causes. Usually, it’s almost like you have a whole lot of factors coming together to cause genetic damage because naturally, the body resists such kind of damage. Substantial mechanisms in the human DNA protect the DNA itself from such kind of damage.
“So, it’s only when these protective mechanisms get overwhelmed or they get affected themselves, that’s when cancer happens.
“In some cancers, there are some theories that a single hit is not usually enough to cause a cancer. You need to have like, multiple hits to the gene to have that happening. So that explains why there are inter-individual variations.”
Owoeye underscored the significance of raising awareness and implementing regulations within the tattoo industry.
He recommended that oversight bodies establish guidelines to uphold the safety of tattoo inks and procedures. By doing so, he believed that potential risks linked to carcinogenic ink constituents could be minimized, and consumers could be better informed about the health implications of their tattoo choices.
The doctor noted that despite the widespread popularity of tattoos, particularly among younger individuals, it is crucial to remain vigilant about the associated health risks.
Owoeye advised those contemplating getting inked to inquire about the chemical composition of the inks being used and to opt for safer alternatives to reduce possible health dangers.
In a recent study featured in eClinicalMedicine, researchers uncovered a correlation indicating that individuals with tattoos faced a 21% higher likelihood of being diagnosed with lymphoma.
The study suggested that tattoos could serve as a potential risk factor for malignant lymphoma, warranting attention from a public health standpoint. The concern primarily stemmed from the presence of potentially carcinogenic substances in certain tattoo inks.
The research involved 11,905 participants, among whom 2,938 individuals had been diagnosed with lymphoma and were aged between 20 and 60. These subjects were surveyed regarding their lifestyles to determine their tattoo status.
Within the group of individuals diagnosed with lymphoma, 21% had tattoos (289 individuals), while 18% of the control group without lymphoma (735 individuals) also had tattoos. Notably, the study did not find any association between the size of tattoos and the risk of developing cancer.
