The research is unique in the world because there have previously been no studies on whether the chemicals in the tattoo ink can lead to cancer.
– We know from other contexts that these chemicals can increase the risk of cancer, says Christel Nielsen, docent in environmental medicine at Lund University.
The cancer registry to help
The researchers use the Swedish cancer registry as their starting point, and former patients have to answer a questionnaire about whether they have tattoos, where they are located and how big they are.
– This is not about not getting a tattoo, but that we should know if it is safe, says Christel Nielsen.
Results will be presented later this year.
SVT Nyheter Skåne met Skåne people outside Malmö University. Watch them show off their tattoos in the clip below.
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