Tattoos lead to slow diagnosis of skin cancer

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Independent Member for Gaven Dr Alex Douglas MP has warned that tattoos can lead to a slow diagnosis of skin cancer.

“I want to highlight this because Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, and with an increase in tattoos, our cancer rate may well be increasing as well,” he said.

“Subtle skin changes can be disguised within a tattoo and lead to a poorer patient outcome.

“As a long-standing GP,  I know that sometimes tattoos can make it difficult to distinguish moles because they become less visible when surrounded by tattoos.

“Tattooing in Australia, as occurring internationally,  is becoming much prevalent. Also the size and distribution of tattoos makes the problem of skin cancer detection more difficult.

“Whilst it is a fashion or cultural statement for many, tattoos are also contributing to a slow diagnosis of skin cancer.

“A report completed by three Brisbane dermatologists and an English specialist in the latest Australian Family Physician magazine says the risk is magnified by the increasing prevalence of tattoos, their popularity in the group least likely to adopt sun protection behaviour and a reported higher prevalence of sunburn.

“Tattoo ink may camouflage the clinical signs of skin cancer resulting in a delay in detection. “For health practitioners, macroscopic assessment can be additionally challenging because of tattoo ink colours and possibly detection is more difficult with dark coloured, compared with light coloured tattoos.”