Published Aug 19, 2020

Should People With Tattoos Worry More About Skin Cancer Risk? A Leading Expert Breaks It Down For Us

Millions of people across the world have tattoos, but can they be the cause of a missed skin cancer diagnosis? A leading expert shares some guidance with SurvivorNet.

Shelby Black

Details

Tattoos & Skin Cancer

There’s no official study to prove tattoos are linked to skin cancer, but it can make checking for signs more difficult
Tattoo ink has become much safer over the years, but some may contain carcinogenic ingredients since ink sales aren’t heavily regulated
It’s important to check your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer, and contact your physician if something appears suspicious

Some oncologists are questioning whether tattoos could cause some skin cancers to be missed. Body art has become far more common over the years; in fact, it’s likely you’ve seen more than a couple of people sporting tattoos on a casual walk in the park. A leading expert talks to SurvivorNet about whether there is an official link between the two, and shares some guidance for those who might be worried.

“First of all, it is very important to note that the jury is definitely still out on whether there is a link at all,” Dr. Ilene Rothman, Associate Professor of Oncology in the Department of Dermatology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, tells SurvivorNet.

Around 25% of people between the ages of 18 and 50 have at least one tattoo, meaning millions have some form of body art. However, Dr. Rothman also points out that over a 40-year period there have only been reported 64 cases of skin cancer occurring within a tattoo. That being the case, and given the fact that there’s no official research on this topic, it’s too soon to deduce whether there’s a scientific link between the two.

“These cases may certainly be coincidental, [meaning] skin cancers occurring on skin that just happens to be tattooed,” Dr. Rothman says. “We just don't know at this point because there have been no long-term large-scale studies.”

Dr. Anna Pavlick breaks down what happens after a skin cancer diagnosis

Is Tattoo Ink Dangerous?

Tattoos have changed dramatically over the years, and so have safety precautions. In the past, red tattoo ink contained dangerous substances such as mercury. This is hardly the case anymore, as tattooists now use safer red ink since people can have life-threatening allergic reactions to mercury. However, the type of ink in your tattoo can depend largely on your tattoo artist and the studio you go to.

“Some tattoo inks contain ingredients that are potentially carcinogenic,” Dr. Rothman explains. “Current inks are believed less likely to contain potentially carcinogenic substances, but since the composition and sale of tattoo inks is not regulated, this is not known definitively.”

The main issue between tattoos and skin cancer isn’t in the ink itself, but rather that among people with many tattoos, skin cancer diagnoses can be missed. If more surface area of the skin is covered in tattoos, it makes it more difficult for dermatologists to examine the skin effectively. Without a proper examination, it’s possible moles and other signs of skin cancer could be undetected.

“Tattoos can camouflage skin cancers to both dermatologist exam and self-exam,” says Dr. Rothman. “Additionally, the instruments we use to examine the skin help us analyze patterns of skin pigment and other skin features, and tattoos can impede this to some extent. For patients who have numerous moles, we sometimes look for, and encourage our patients to look for, what is known as the ‘ugly duckling sign’ which refers to a mole that stands out from the rest. This is definitely confounded by extensive tattoos. We can certainly still diagnose skin cancer on tattooed skin, but tattoos can make it harder for people to find skin cancer on their own skin or on a friend's or family member's skin.”

Dr. Cecilia Larocca explains how atypical moles aren’t always cancerous

How Can You Protect Yourself?

It’s important to know that as of now, there is no scientific proof to link tattoos with skin cancer diagnoses. However, regular skin checks and examinations can help everyone whether you’re inked up or not. It’s recommended that you check your skin at least once a month to make sure everything checks out, and visit your physician if you believe something might be suspicious. When checking your skin, there’s a helpful guide to follow, and it’s called the ABCDE system.

Asymmetrical moles make sure the moles are equal on both sides
Borders examine whether the edges of the moles are jagged, irregular, or not smooth
Colors check if the there are different colors in the mole
Diameter Measure the mole to see if it’s larger than 6 millimeters
Evolution The most important step in the process. Routinly check to see if the mole change over time, whether it’s in color, size, shape, or it’s itchy and painful.

Dr. Cecilia Larocca shares helpful tips on how to check your skin effectively

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