Oncologists and Haematologists have cautioned Nigerians in opposition to the brand new development of getting tattoos, warning that the artwork, which is a kind of physique modification has been linked to an elevated threat of blood cancers, notably lymphoma – most cancers of the blood.
The specialists, who spoke solely with PUNCH Healthwise defined that sure chemical substances in tattoo inks, together with polyaromatic hydrocarbons recognized for his or her carcinogenic properties, might contribute to creating these blood cancers.
They warn that these carcinogenic chemical substances can set off an immune response within the physique, resulting in the event of blood cancers.
Recall that the 2024 Ojude Oba Day celebration gained vital social media consideration, notably with a most cancers survivor recognized as Farooq Oreagba, stole the present, capturing hearts together with his charismatic presence.
The spotlight of the competition was when Oreagba, adorned in full aso-oke agbada regalia, emerged on his horse, complemented by a putting tattoo on his arm.
Images and movies of Oreagba shortly circulated on-line, with many Nigerians expressing admiration for his tattoo and expressing curiosity in getting related ones themselves.
Nonetheless, specialists in oncology and haematology shortly suggested people with plans to get tattoos to concentrate on the potential dangers.
The physicians mentioned that the method of tattooing includes injecting ink below the pores and skin, the place it will probably migrate into the lymphatic system and attain lymph nodes.
They defined that the presence of carcinogenic substances in these inks can result in genetic harm and mobile adjustments that contribute to the event of lymphoma.
A Marketing consultant medical oncologist, Dr Charles Okwonna mentioned the placement and sort of tattoo ink used are vital elements influencing the danger of creating blood cancers.
The most cancers knowledgeable, who works at St. Luke’s Most cancers Centre, United Kingdom, defined that the danger of creating blood cancers from tattoos is increased for individuals who have them positioned close to lymph nodes, such because the neck, armpits, and groin.
He mentioned these have been extra more likely to trigger immune reactions resulting from increased chemical absorption in these areas.
He famous that the standard of ink and the tattooing course of can enhance the danger of creating blood cancers.
Based on him, the standard of tattoo ink and the talent of the tattoo artist play essential roles, including that cheaper inks with extra impurities might enhance the dangers.
Okwonna added, “Tattoo will increase the danger of any of those blood cancers however it’s extra linked with lymphomas. This has been established not too long ago.
“Through the means of drawing tattoos, the ink that’s used incorporates a carcinogenic or has been proven to comprise a carcinogenic chemical, which we name the polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and these chemical substances have been implicated additionally in cancers of different components of the physique, particularly of the nasopharyngeal.
“Lately it has been proven via a number of research, particularly in Europe, that a few of these inks comprise these chemical substances. What occurs is, within the means of drawing the tattoo, these chemical substances elicit some type of advanced response within the physique, which we name an immunologic response.
“So, when the chemical substances get injected into you both regionally or generally, it will get absorbed via the little lymphatic channels across the pores and skin space the place you’re having it, it will get absorbed. Systemically, your physique sees this as a overseas physique attempting to invade it after which elicits an immune response.
“The physique elicits an immune response that tries to combat these chemical substances. Within the means of eliciting this immune response, over time, that immunity type of will get exaggerated. When that occurs, that’s when it begins to rework from being a traditional immunologic response, to dysplasia (the presence of cells of an irregular sort inside a tissue, which can signify a stage previous the event of most cancers), after which rework to a malignant immune response.”
He added, “What this implies is that if you get an an infection or when your physique sees one thing coming to it like a overseas physique, the physique releases some cells, and these cells are immunologic. They embody white blood cells, mast cells, and all that. So these cells’s primary work is to attempt to launch some chemical substances that can combat these overseas issues and stop them from inflicting hurt to the physique.”
When requested about individuals extra vulnerable to getting most cancers via tattoos, the oncologist defined that particular person susceptibility to those immune reactions varies.
Okwonna mentioned elements similar to total immune power and pores and skin sort, the place melanin might present some safety, contribute to totally different responses amongst individuals.
“I won’t be able to let you know the actual kinds of ink, however I do know for positive that there are grades to this factor. After which, the extra polished it’s, the much less probably it’s to have impurities and heavy metals that can trigger you this sort of immune response.
“Additionally, the method of tattooing itself can also be a difficulty, and the positioning of the tattooing.
“So, having a tattoo someplace distant, possibly in your ft, wherever beneath your knee and even beneath your elbows, as an example, it’s much less more likely to contain lymph nodes versus having a tattoo simply at your neck or very near your armpit or, near your groin.
“So, the probabilities are that drawing a tattoo in these areas the place you will have a really excessive presence of lymph nodes, will probably get these ink, and people chemical substances which can be in these inks absorbed very simply into the lymph nodes round that space. So the extra the focus of those in that space, the upper the possibility of eliciting the immune response. In order that’s why I discuss in regards to the websites, after which the method itself; the much less sharp the tattoo blade itself is or the needle, the extra the potential to elicit an immune response,” he famous.
The doctor, nonetheless, confused the significance of stricter rules inside the tattoo trade, stating that many tattoo artists prioritise income over security.
He referred to as on the federal government and the related companies to implement requirements that guarantee secure ink compositions, skilled practices, and post-tattoo well being assessments.
Okwonna mentioned, “The federal government ought to set minimal requirements for the inks and devices utilized in tattoos.
“Moreover, well being checks ought to be necessary after the tattooing course of to detect any potential well being issues early.”
On his half, a Marketing consultant Haematologist, C Lab Nigeria, Dr Olaniyi Owoeye confirmed that tattoo inks comprise chemical substances that may trigger genetic harm and result in blood cancers.
Owoeye, who can also be a lecturer at Olabisi Onabanjo College, In the past-Iwoye, Ogun State, defined that the ink will get into the blood and results in the lymph nodes, the place it will probably trigger genetic harm over time.
The haematologist confused that this will result in the event of lymphoma, a kind of blood most cancers.
The doctor argued that the danger of most cancers seems to be linked on to the ink used, no matter tattoo measurement or placement on the physique.
Whereas acknowledging that not everybody who will get a tattoo will develop most cancers, the knowledgeable emphasised that sure people could also be extra vulnerable.
He defined that a number of elements, together with genetic variations and life-style behaviours like smoking, contribute to particular person most cancers susceptibility, making it difficult to foretell who would possibly develop most cancers after getting a tattoo.
He additional mentioned, “One factor I’d additionally prefer to level out is that the ink might not simply be the one most essential issue. There are additionally so many different elements like the approach to life of the individual doing tattoos, does the individual smokes, and so lots of these threat behaviours predisposed to cancers. So, it’s like a conglomeration of things.
“There are a complete lot of things that decide somebody’s predisposition to cancers. And naturally, I’m positive lots of people will agree with me that a number of individuals have tattoos, they usually don’t find yourself having cancers.
“Some individuals even get uncovered to a few of these carcinogens, they usually don’t finally find yourself even having most cancers. That reveals you that there are a complete lot of things that decide susceptibility to most cancers. There are lots of genetic variations from individuals to individuals that may have an effect on that. And as I mentioned earlier on, it’s like a conglomeration of things.”
He added, “Formation of cancers is just not often one thing that solely a single issue causes. Normally, it’s nearly like you will have a complete lot of things coming collectively to trigger genetic harm as a result of naturally, the physique resists such type of harm. Substantial mechanisms within the human DNA shield the DNA itself from such type of harm.
“So, it’s solely when these protecting mechanisms get overwhelmed or they get affected themselves, that’s when most cancers occurs.
“In some cancers, there are some theories {that a} single hit is just not often sufficient to trigger a most cancers. It’s worthwhile to have like, a number of hits to the gene to have that taking place. In order that explains why there are inter-individual variations.”
Owoeye additionally emphasised the significance of consciousness and regulation within the tattoo trade.
He instructed that regulatory our bodies ought to implement requirements making certain the protection of tattoo inks and procedures.
This method, he argued, can assist mitigate dangers related to carcinogenic ink substances and make sure that customers are knowledgeable in regards to the potential well being implications of their tattoo decisions.
The doctor identified that whereas tattoos are well-liked and regarded stylish, particularly amongst youthful populations, the notice of related well being dangers stays essential.
He really helpful that people contemplating tattoos ought to inquire in regards to the chemical constituents of the inks used and go for safer alternate options to minimise potential well being hazards.
In the meantime, a examine not too long ago revealed within the journal eClinicalMedicine, discovered that having a tattoo was related to 21 per cent increased odds of a lymphoma analysis.
The examine instructed that tattoos could also be a threat issue for malignant lymphoma that’s actionable from a public well being perspective.
The researchers acknowledged that the priority lies with probably carcinogenic chemical substances in some tattoo inks. When injected, the physique perceives them as overseas, triggering a low-grade irritation which may contribute to most cancers improvement.
The examine included 11,905 individuals — 2,938 of whom had lymphoma and have been between ages 20 and 60.
They have been then given a questionnaire about life-style elements to see in the event that they have been tattooed or not.
1,398 members answered the questionnaire, whereas the variety of individuals within the management group was 4,193.
Within the group with lymphoma, 21 per cent have been tattooed (289 people), whereas 18 per cent have been tattooed within the management group with no lymphoma analysis (735 people).
The examine discovered no connection between tattoo measurement and most cancers threat.
