Oncologists and Haematologists have cautioned Nigerians towards the brand new development of getting tattoos, warning that the artwork, which is a sort of physique modification has been linked to an elevated threat of blood cancers, notably lymphoma – most cancers of the blood.
The consultants, who spoke solely with PUNCH Healthwise defined that sure chemical compounds in tattoo inks, together with polyaromatic hydrocarbons identified for his or her carcinogenic properties, could contribute to growing these blood cancers.
They warn that these carcinogenic chemical compounds 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 important 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 pageant was when Oreagba, adorned in full aso-oke agbada regalia, emerged on his horse, complemented by a putting tattoo on his arm.
Photographs and movies of Oreagba rapidly circulated on-line, with many Nigerians expressing admiration for his tattoo and expressing curiosity in getting related ones themselves.
Nevertheless, consultants in oncology and haematology rapidly suggested people with plans to get tattoos to pay attention to the potential dangers.
The physicians stated that the method of tattooing entails injecting ink underneath the pores and skin, the place it may possibly migrate into the lymphatic system and attain lymph nodes.
They defined that the presence of carcinogenic substances in these inks can result in genetic injury and mobile modifications that contribute to the event of lymphoma.
A Advisor scientific oncologist, Dr Charles Okwonna stated the placement and sort of tattoo ink used are important components influencing the chance of growing blood cancers.
The most cancers skilled, who works at St. Luke’s Most cancers Centre, United Kingdom, defined that the chance of growing blood cancers from tattoos is increased for individuals who have them positioned close to lymph nodes, such because the neck, armpits, and groin.
He stated 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 chance of growing blood cancers.
In line with him, the standard of tattoo ink and the ability of the tattoo artist play essential roles, including that cheaper inks with extra impurities could enhance the dangers.
Okwonna added, “Tattoo will increase the chance of any of those blood cancers however it’s extra linked with lymphomas. This has been established not too long ago.
“Throughout the means of drawing tattoos, the ink that’s used accommodates a carcinogenic or has been proven to comprise a carcinogenic chemical, which we name the polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and these chemical compounds have been implicated additionally in cancers of different components of the physique, particularly of the nasopharyngeal.
“Not too long ago it has been proven by means of a number of research, particularly in Europe, that a few of these inks comprise these chemical compounds. What occurs is, within the means of drawing the tattoo, these chemical compounds elicit some type of advanced response within the physique, which we name an immunologic response.
“So, when the chemical compounds get injected into you both domestically or generally, it will get absorbed by means of 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 international physique attempting to invade it after which elicits an immune response.
“The physique elicits an immune response that tries to struggle these chemical compounds. 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 kind 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 whenever you get an an infection or when your physique sees one thing coming to it like a international 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 struggle these international issues and forestall them from inflicting hurt to the physique.”
When requested about individuals extra vulnerable to getting most cancers by means of tattoos, the oncologist defined that particular person susceptibility to those immune reactions varies.
Okwonna stated components corresponding to total immune power and pores and skin kind, the place melanin could present some safety, contribute to completely different responses amongst individuals.
“I will be unable to let you know the actual forms 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 be a difficulty, and the location of the tattooing.
“So, having a tattoo someplace distant, perhaps 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 possibilities are that drawing a tattoo in these areas the place you have got a really excessive presence of lymph nodes, will probably get these ink, and people chemical compounds 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 concerning 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, nevertheless, confused the significance of stricter laws throughout the tattoo trade, mentioning that many tattoo artists prioritise earnings 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 stated, “The federal government ought to set minimal requirements for the inks and devices utilized in tattoos.
“Moreover, well being checks must be necessary after the tattooing course of to detect any potential well being issues early.”
On his half, a Advisor Haematologist, C Lab Nigeria, Dr Olaniyi Owoeye confirmed that tattoo inks comprise chemical compounds that may trigger genetic injury and result in blood cancers.
Owoeye, who can be a lecturer at Olabisi Onabanjo College, In the past-Iwoye, Ogun State, defined that the ink will get into the blood and leads to the lymph nodes, the place it may possibly trigger genetic injury over time.
The haematologist confused that this will result in the event of lymphoma, a sort of blood most cancers.
The doctor argued that the chance 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 skilled emphasised that sure people could also be extra vulnerable.
He defined that a number of components, together with genetic variations and way of life behaviours like smoking, contribute to particular person most cancers susceptibility, making it difficult to foretell who may develop most cancers after getting a tattoo.
He additional stated, “One factor I might additionally wish to level out is that the ink could not simply be the only most vital issue. There are additionally so many different components like the life-style 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 exhibits you that there are a complete lot of things that decide susceptibility to most cancers. There are quite a lot of genetic variations from individuals to individuals that may have an effect on that. And as I stated earlier on, it’s like a conglomeration of things.”
He added, “Formation of cancers just isn’t normally one thing that solely a single issue causes. Normally, it’s nearly like you have got a complete lot of things coming collectively to trigger genetic injury as a result of naturally, the physique resists such type of injury. Substantial mechanisms within the human DNA defend the DNA itself from such type of injury.
“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 just isn’t normally sufficient to trigger a most cancers. It is advisable to have like, a number of hits to the gene to have that occuring. In order that explains why there are inter-individual variations.”
Owoeye additionally emphasised the significance of consciousness and regulation within the tattoo trade.
He urged that regulatory our bodies ought to implement requirements guaranteeing the security of tattoo inks and procedures.
This method, he argued, may help mitigate dangers related to carcinogenic ink elements and be certain that shoppers are knowledgeable concerning the potential well being implications of their tattoo selections.
The doctor identified that whereas tattoos are fashionable 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 concerning the chemical constituents of the inks used and go for safer options to minimise potential well being hazards.
In the meantime, a research not too long ago printed within the journal eClinicalMedicine, discovered that having a tattoo was related to 21 per cent increased odds of a lymphoma prognosis.
The research urged that tattoos could also be a threat issue for malignant lymphoma that’s actionable from a public well being perspective.
The researchers said that the priority lies with probably carcinogenic chemical compounds in some tattoo inks. When injected, the physique perceives them as international, triggering a low-grade irritation which may contribute to most cancers improvement.
The research 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 way of life components to see in the event that they have been tattooed or not.
1,398 contributors 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 and not using a lymphoma prognosis (735 people).
The research discovered no connection between tattoo measurement and most cancers threat.