Your next tattoo might be riskier than currently assumed, recent research suggests.
Scientists found evidence of a potential link between tattoo ink and a higher risk of certain cancers.
Tattoos have become increasingly popular.
A study of twins finds a possible connection between getting inked and cancer.© Med Photo Studio via Shutterstock
To bridge this gap, they analyzed data from the Danish Twin Tattoo Cohort (DTTC).
This allowed the researchers to know a persons tattoo status and to track whether they later developed cancer.
We are concerned that tattoo ink interacting with surrounding cells may have severe consequences, the study authors wrote.
This sort of research alone cant be used to confirm a cause-and-effect relationship between tattoos and cancer.
There have also been at least four other studies in recent years examining this issue.
At the same time, there could still be other explanations.
People who get tattoos may be more likely to engage in other cancer-linked behaviors like smoking and drinking.
Another lingering question, assuming this connection is genuine, is exactly whats behind it.
Studies that pinpoint the etiological pathway of tattoo ink-induced carcinogenesis are recommended, they wrote.
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