Tattoo and Cancer
Hello, I am @cancerdoctor, a radiation oncologist in South Korea.
I had worked in Seoul National University Hospital in Korea, and I am working for public health now.
I am here in order to provide several important common notes in terms of cancer.
Today, I want to introduce some information about TATTOO AND CANCER.
There have been a stereotype that tattoo is the exclusive property of Mafia in Korea, but nowadays, it is getting more popular to common people. I am also interested in tattoo, so that I am following fancy tattoo pictures through instagram. However, tattoo has several medical concerns that might be able to cause several diseases.
"Can tattoo cause cancer?"
YES, but the posibility is low. I will show you why.
If tattooist reuses a tattoo needle, you can acquire AIDs or chronic hepatitis, especially type C, and those can be causes of cancer. Therefore, DO NOT get tattoo in dirty, cheap tattoo shop!!
Also, repetitive infections and allergic reaction are being brought up for carcinogenic mechanism of tattoo. A sense of hygiene is important in terms of those problems.
"Can I get cancer despite of sterillized needle and sanitary tattoo place?"
For the past 40 years, there have been approximately 50 case reports about patients with skin cancer related to tattoo (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma). Statistically, those cancers might be detected by chance in tattoo area. In a recent investigation, one out of four American aged 18-50 have tattoo in their body, so we can not say tattoo is a cause of cancer with such a low incidence of patients with tattoo-related skin cancer.
However, International Agency for Research on Cancer warned about tattoo ink. Some tattoo inks contain mercury, cobalt salt such as cobalt sulfate, and carbon black, which are classified as group 2B (possible carcinogen), and cadmium is classified as group 1 (carcinogen). Also, chrome, nikel, and cobalt, which can cause allergic reaction, were also detected from several tattoo inks.
These heavy metals were contained in tattoo inks used in the past, but organic inks are widely used nowadays. However, organic inks are not safe, either. According to an European market investigation, about 60% of the tattoo inks that is widely used in Europe contain azo components (N=N), some of which were classified as CARCINOGEN.
"How about other cancers but skin cancer?"
Tattoo ink material can move from skin to lymph nodes. Enlargement or pigmentation of lymph nodes is occasionally detected among people who have tattoo, and the lymph nodes were somtimes overtreated due to a difficulty of distinction from cancer. However, there are no definite evidence that the enlargement of lymph nodes can be developed to cancer. Also, there is no report detacting a by-product of tattoo ink in other organs above lymph nodes.
In conclusion, there is not significant correlation between (hygienically safe) tattoo and cancer. However, several substaces that is carcinogenic or potential to be carcinogenic were detected in tattoo inks. Therefore, cosumers need to be aware of constituents of tattoo inks that will be used to their body. Also, regulations for components of tattoo inks need to be estabilished considering an increase of tattooing. Tattooists and consumers must be always careful of hygiene of tattoo needles and the place of procedure.
References
- Kluger N, et al. Tattoos, inks, and cancer. Lancet oncol 2012:13:e161-68.
- Baumler W, et al. Chemical used in tattooing and permanent make up products. VA: European Comission, 2003:21-36.
- Schreiver I, et al. Synchrotron-based ν-XRF mapping and μ-FTIR microscopy enable to look into the fate and effects of tattoo pigments in human skin. Sci Rep. 2017;7:11395.
Welcome to steemit colleague ;)
Maybe you can tell some people who don't believe that there is cancer (yes, we have such people here on steemit) a few stories about your patients ;)
Just saw you mediteam - do you have english content as well? :)
Skin cancer grew up alot. Probably the most important reason of it is sun. My aunt is also a doctor. She tells me that. Do not go under the sun without sunscreen around 30 factors. World is changing. You made me think about getting a tattoo second time. Thank you for sharing your medical experinces and knowledge with us.
Thank you for visiting me. Yes definitely UV of sunlight is the most important risk factor for skin cancer!
Great work!
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Real science! Bravo! Follow, never mind your texts are 99% non-English
Thank you! but I will write more English text, haha
Helpful article,doctor
Welcome to Steem, always nice to connect with someone living in South Korea. I also have a tattoo and I am seeing a lot more younger koreans start to get tattoos. People are finally changing their minds about them, this is good to see. The big problem is that (as far as I know) it is still illegal to get a tattoo in korea. Tattoos are not illegal, just getting a tattoo is, seems really strange to me
Agree. Too many things are illegal in Korea I think. But it will be changed soon :)
it's been very popular here in Europe.I can see people of all ages, genders and shapes to proudly present their tattoos. I love how tattoo has become art and skin an artist's canvas. Thanks for the interesting (a bit scary must say!) info!