Having tattoos increases the risk of developing cancer.

Is it true that having tattoos increases the risk of developing cancer?

Partly. One Swedish case-control study reports a modestly elevated melanoma risk among tattooed individuals, and a twin-study methods section examines tattoo exposure against lymphoma and skin cancers, while a meta-analysis found no proven lymphoma link and a melanoma case series judged the association coincidental. The evidence covers only specific cancer types and does not establish a general causal increase in cancer risk.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 3 sources for, 2 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

E, R. L., K, N., M, E., A, S. J., & C, N. (2025). Does tattoo exposure increase the risk of cutaneous melanoma? A population-based case-control study.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-025-01326-6

M, B., S, S., L, M., S, M., G, S., & I, S. (2025). Melanoma Arising in Tattoos: A Case Series and Scoping Review of the Literature.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17050767

Tattoo ink exposure is associated with lymphoma and skin cancers – a Danish study of twins - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21413-3

Sibling status, home birth, tattoos and stitches are risk factors for chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Senegalese children: A cross‐sectional survey. (2021). amu.hal.science. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvh.13589

T, M., J, X., J, F., I, Z., & J, F. (2025). Investigating the potential association between tattoos and lymphoma: an exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103563