THE SCIENTIST :
Can Tattoos Cause Cancer ?
RESEARCHERS INVESTIGATE
Can Tattoos Cause Cancer ?
Penyelidikan ilmiah terbaru menunjukkan adanya korelasi (bukan pembuktian sebab-akibat langsung) antara tato dan peningkatan risiko jenis kanker tertentu, terutama limfoma dan kanker kulit. Peneliti terus menyelidiki mekanisme bagaimana tinta tato berinteraksi dengan sistem kekebalan tubuh dalam jangka panjang.
Temuan Utama Riset (2024–2025)
Studi berskala besar dari Swedia dan Denmark telah mengidentifikasi pola-pola berikut :
- Risiko Limfoma: Sebuah studi tahun 2024 dari Universitas Lund, Swedia, menemukan bahwa orang bertato memiliki risiko 21% lebih tinggi terkena limfoma dibandingkan mereka yang tidak bertato.
- Pengaruh Ukuran Tato: Studi kohort kembar di Denmark (2025) melaporkan bahwa tato yang lebih besar dari telapak tangan dapat meningkatkan risiko limfoma hingga hampir tiga kali lipat dan risiko kanker kulit (seperti melanoma) lebih dari dua kali lipat.
- Akumulasi di Kelenjar Getah Bening: Partikel tinta tato sering kali berpindah dari kulit dan menumpuk di kelenjar getah bening, yang memicu peradangan kronis dan aktivasi sistem imun terus-menerus.
- Kandungan Tinta: Beberapa tinta mengandung bahan karsinogenik seperti polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pada tinta hitam atau pewarna azo pada tinta berwarna yang dapat terurai menjadi bahan kimia berbahaya.
Faktor-Faktor yang Dipertimbangkan
- Faktor : Temuan Peneliti
- Waktu : Risiko tampak paling tinggi dalam dua tahun pertama setelah tato dan meningkat kembali setelah 11 tahun atau lebih.
- Penghapusan Laser : Laser memecah molekul tinta menjadi fragmen yang lebih kecil dan berpotensi lebih toksik saat masuk ke sistem limfatik.
- Gaya Hidup : Peneliti juga mempertimbangkan faktor lain seperti paparan sinar matahari, merokok, dan tipe kulit untuk memastikan kaitan tersebut murni dari tato.
Meskipun terdapat temuan ini, para ahli menekankan bahwa risiko absolut masih rendah karena limfoma adalah penyakit yang relatif jarang terjadi. Studi lebih lanjut masih diperlukan untuk memahami mekanisme biologis secara mendalam dan apakah jenis tinta tertentu lebih berbahaya daripada yang lain.
SEVERAL NEW EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES HINT AT A POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN TATTOOS AND CANCER. THE RESULTS ARE NOT YET CONCLUSIVE BUT WARRANT FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
Recent research, including a 2024 study published in The Lancet and studies from the University of Southern Denmark (2025), suggests that tattoos may be associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly lymphoma and, in some cases, skin cancer. While a 2024 study found a 21% higher risk of lymphoma in individuals with tattoos, another 2025 study reported that the risk of lymphoma could be nearly three times higher in those with large, palm-sized or bigger tattoos.
However, these findings indicate an association rather than a direct, proven cause.
Key Findings from Researchers
- Lymphoma Risk: Studies have identified a 21–29% increased relative risk of malignant lymphoma in individuals with tattoos, with some data suggesting the risk is highest within the first two years of getting a tattoo and again after 11 years.
- Skin Cancer Link: A 2025 Danish study found an association between tattoos and an increased risk of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, though another study found no association with squamous cell carcinoma.
- The "Size Matters" Hypothesis: Some studies suggest that the total area of tattooed skin correlates with risk, as larger tattoos mean more pigment is deposited in the body, potentially overloading the immune system.
- Lymph Node Accumulation: Researchers have confirmed that tattoo ink particles (including heavy metals like nickel, chromium, manganese, and cobalt) travel through the body and accumulate in the lymph nodes.
- Conflicting Data: While some studies show increased risk, a 2025 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that people with three or more large tattoos had a 74% lower risk of melanoma, highlighting the need for more research.
Why Tattoos Might Cause Cancer
Researchers are investigating several biological mechanisms:
- Chronic Inflammation: The immune system constantly reacts to the foreign ink pigments, leading to chronic low-grade inflammation.
- Toxic Ingredients: Tattoo inks can contain carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), primary aromatic amines, and heavy metals.
- UV Exposure: Red inks, in particular, may contain azo dyes that can break down into harmful compounds when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Expert Advice and Context
- Do Not Panic: While the risks are being investigated, lymphoma is a relatively rare cancer, and the absolute risk to any individual remains low.
- Safe Practices: Choosing reputable artists and ensuring ink quality (e.g., complying with EU standards) can reduce risk.
- Protection: It is recommended to use sunscreen (SPF 30+) on tattoos and have them checked regularly by a dermatologist.
The current consensus is that while there is a "biologically plausible risk," more, long-term research is required to establish direct causality.
