Ink and the lurking malignant melanoma

Source: Safetowork, August 2019

The popularity of “ink” or tattoos has skyrocketed in modern society. The simple tattoo of the past has been replaced by a new found art form with whole body parts tattooed.

Where does this fit into skin cancer? Certainly there is no evidence that ink causes skin cancer, however, to the untrained eye it certainly does hide or mask lesion change, which may indicate melanoma.

Melanoma is no different to any other form of cancer and left undetected will spread to other parts of the body. Early detection is crucial.