A recent study conducted by Lund University in Sweden through an analysis of the Swedish National Cancer Register found that 20% of people with lymphoma had a tattoo. The risk was 81% higher for people with tattoos to contract lymphoma in the first two years of getting the tattoo.
What is Actually Causing The Increased Risk?
Overall, what the study had found was that the risk of contracting lymphoma seemed to be connected to the time they had gotten the tattoo. 3 years after their initial tattooing, this risk dropped and then increased again by 19% after 11 years. The size of the tattoo appeared to have no impact on the risk, interestingly enough.
However, the study could not isolate the specific factors that could be causing lymphoma. According to the authors, the study “adjusted for several lifestyle factors like smoking or eocioeconomic status”, however tattoos in themselves appeared to be the risk factor.
From what is already known on tattoo ink materials, tattoos can contain carcinogens that enter the body and end up inside the lymph nodes themselves. However, researchers haven’t been able to specifically tie this phenomenon to an increased cancer risk. Part of this is attributed to the fact that there are a lot of different possible ingredients in tattoo ink, which can make understanding the side-effects quite difficult.
What Do The Study’s Authors Recommend For Tattooists
Despite the findings, the study’s authors did assert that tattoo popularity has increased since the early 2000s and that most of the research team had tattoos. However, they believe that the health impact haven’t been effectively studied.
They believe that the findings do not indicate a need to worry, however, people should still be aware of the effect that getting a tattoo has on their body and physical health.
According to Nielsen, the study’s lead author, “It is important to keep in mind that lymphoma is a very rare disease, and that the 21% increase relates to a baseline risk that is very low. However, I would like to highlight that tattooed individuals should be aware that tattoos might have adverse health effects, and that you should seek medical care if you experience any symptoms that you think may be tattoo-related.
Credits: Instagram
Brandon Buckingham, a YouTuber known for his documentary and man-on-the-street style videos is facing serious health emergency and had spent months in hospital visits. He is now in Intensive Care Unit, an update he shared on November 21. "My heart is failing, my lungs are failing, my liver and kidneys are failing. Things are not looking good my friends. I love you guys, " he said.
Earlier he had shared that he was out of hospital and his condition seemed stabilized, however, soon things got worse. He posted on X: "doctor believes I have tuberculosis, septic pneumonia, and/or liver failure. pray for me guys."

He had earlier shared that he was not in a good headspace every since his grandmother died. “I have more people waiting for me in heaven than here on earth. I think God has a plan for me that I don’t understand. I love you grandma, say hi to Kyle for me. I wish I could die with you.”
Brandon mentioned that his heart, liver, and lungs were failing. A person can have multiple organ failure because these organs have a complex, bidirectional relationship. This means when the failure of one happen, it can cause or contribute to failure of another organ. For instance, severe liver disease could lead to a heart and lung complication like hepatopulmonary syndrome.
If someone has severe liver disease, it could cause severe fluid buildup in the abdomen and chest cavity, which can compress the diaphragm and lead the shortness of breath. Liver disease can also cause changes in blood vessels of the lungs, which could lead to conditions like portopulmonary hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome, which can affect the heart and lung function. In advance cases, the liver can cause a condition called cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, which is heart muscle dysfunction.
While there is yet no clear diagnosis, as the post only mentions that the doctor "believes" that he has tuberculosis and pneumonia. However, the question is, can this really happen together?
The answer is yes. A person can have both TB and pneumonia at the same time, as they are both respiratory infections and can occur concurrently. This co-infection can make diagnosis difficult because the symptoms of pneumonia might be more prominent, potentially obscuring the signs of TB. It is also possible for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium, which causes TB to cause a type of pneumonia itself.
In fact, both TB and pneumonia can cause liver failure, though it is rare. Liver damage from TB can occur due to the infection itself (hepatic tuberculosis) or as a side effect of the strong medications used to treat it. Pneumonia can cause liver failure, but it's typically a severe, overwhelming infection that puts a great strain on the body's organs.
However, what Brandon has been diagnosed with is still not clear. Fellow YouTubers like Aztoy and Bowblax have also voiced their support for Brandon, but since the November 21 update of being in the ICU, Brandon is yet to share more information on his health.
Credits: Canva
The NHS has issued an urgent reminder about symptoms that many might shrug off as “normal,” urging anyone noticing them to get medical advice promptly. In a post on X, the health service highlighted the importance of checking in with a doctor if something feels off.
NHS warned: "Symptoms of pancreatic cancer are common and can be caused by many things. It’s important to be seen by a GP if anything doesn’t feel normal. If your symptoms are due to cancer, catching it early may make treatment easier."
Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach. These cells can form a tumor. Most cases start in the exocrine cells that produce digestive enzymes; this type is often referred to as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, according to the National Cancer Institute.
NHS experts also explained that pancreatic cancer can develop anywhere in this crucial organ, which sits in the upper abdomen and helps with digestion while producing important hormones like insulin. The severity of pancreatic cancer depends on its location, size, whether it has spread, and the person’s overall health.
Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect, and many people show no symptoms at first. Some signs may include:
It’s worth noting that these symptoms are fairly common and may be caused by other health issues. That’s why early medical assessment is so important.
The NHS emphasized: "Having these symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you have pancreatic cancer, but it’s crucial to see a GP. If cancer is the cause, early detection could make treatment more effective."
Pancreatic tumors are generally classified into two main types, as per Cleveland Clinic:
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, including:
Credits: Canva
A daily pill could soon serve as an alternative to Wegovy and Ozempic injections, after a recent trial revealed it helped people with obesity and type 2 diabetes lose significant weight and improve blood sugar control. This new once-a-day tablet, which could be cheaper than injectable treatments, helped participants shed up to 10 per cent of their body weight, according to the study.
Researchers note that orforglipron may make these medications more accessible to people who currently cannot afford costly injections. Orforglipron is a GLP-1 agonist, a type of drug that lowers blood sugar, slows digestion, and can reduce appetite. At present, GLP-1 medications are injected by around 2.5 million people in the UK and can cost up to £206 per dose.
Orforglipron (LY3502970) is a small-molecule, non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) designed for oral use. Unlike popular GLP-1RAs such as semaglutide, orforglipron does not require injections or fasting to achieve absorption and can be taken without restrictions on water or food, according to Phase 1 pharmacokinetic studies. “Its weight loss and diabetes benefits may not match tirzepatide, but the convenience of a pill could appeal to those who prefer not to inject,” explained Alex Miras, professor of endocrinology at Ulster University, to the Independent.
Orforglipron is being studied for safety and effectiveness in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes through ongoing clinical trials by Lilly. Early results are promising, and further data is expected in the first quarter of 2026. It has not yet been approved for use, as per the official page Eli Lilly and Company.
Eli Lilly has not yet revealed the final price of Orforglipron, as it is still undergoing clinical trials and has not been approved for public use. Analysts anticipate that its cost could be comparable to existing drugs like Zepbound, likely ranging from $400 to $1,000 per month, depending on insurance coverage and market factors.
In the United States, patients are expected to start taking the pill in early 2026, with a global rollout to follow. A study done by Lancet included 1,444 participants with obesity across 10 countries, given varying doses of the pill or a placebo for comparison. All participants received guidance on healthy eating and exercise and were monitored over 16 months.
Participants taking the highest dose, 36mg, lost an average of 9.6 per cent of their body weight. Those on 12mg lost 7 per cent, and those on the lowest dose, 6mg, lost 5.1 per cent. Placebo participants lost 2.5 per cent.
The pill not only promoted weight loss but also helped reduce blood sugar levels. The most common side effects were mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues, as per The Indepedent.
Researchers highlighted that the pill could be cheaper, does not require cold storage, and can be taken without specific instructions around food or fasting, making it more accessible to a broader population.
“Having additional safe and effective weight loss options is a significant step forward,” said Naveed Sattar, professor of cardiometabolic medicine at Glasgow University, to the Independent.
“A new oral weight-loss tablet that can be taken alongside other medications without fasting could provide a convenient solution for people with mild to moderate obesity who want to prevent further weight gain,” he added.
“Given its safety profile and predicted lower cost, orforglipron could allow many more individuals, with or without diabetes, to access treatment for obesity worldwide,” said senior study author Dr. Deborah Horn, medical director of the Centre for Obesity Medicine at UTHealth Houston.
“My hope is that orforglipron will become the ‘metformin’ of obesity—a low-cost, widely accessible, low-risk, and effective medication for obesity and related conditions.”
© 2024 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited