Do tattoos increase cancer risk?

If you’re like me, there are people you love who have a tattoo, or maybe several. That’s why I felt concerned about studies showing a link between certain cancers and tattoos.

A 2024 study in the journal “eClinicalMedicine” reported that people with tattoos had a 21% higher risk of malignant lymphoma. It also found that risk varied depending on how much time had passed since getting the tattoo—within two years, lymphoma risk was 81% higher; between three and 10 years, no definite increased risk was detected; and 11 or more years after getting a tattoo, lymphoma risk was 19%.

A 2025 study published in BMC Public Health also reported that people with tattoos faced a higher risk of lymphoma and skin cancer.

The researchers believe that ink doesn’t stay confined to the skin; rather, it migrates to lymph nodes, where it may trigger chronic inflammation and promote the growth of cancerous cells.

However, a separate study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that individuals with three or more large tattoos actually had a 74% lower risk of melanoma. Scientists cautioned against viewing tattoos as protection against the disease, speculating that people with large tattoos may take measures to protect against excessive sun exposure.

Dr. Robert H. Shmerling of Harvard Medical School says that, with the evidence gathered so far, a causal relationship between tattoo ink and cancer hasn’t been demonstrated. He acknowledges that the ink contains several chemicals considered carcinogenic, and that pigment from ink can be found in enlarged lymph nodes within weeks of getting a tattoo.

Thus far, the research has yielded contradictory findings and more questions than answers. But with Americans spending roughly $1.65 billion annually on tattoos, more studies must be conducted to determine if they’re risking their health by doing so.

You can learn more in this article from the medical organization UPMC, as well as steps to take for a safer tattooing experience:
https://share.upmc.com/2026/02/tattoos-cancer-risk/