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Cancer Awareness
Cancer Ribbon Colors and Their Meanings
A complete guide to cancer awareness ribbon colors and meanings, their history, and where to find support.
Most people come here looking for a ribbon color. But sometimes that search starts somewhere else: a diagnosis, a question, or something you didn't see coming.
If you're in treatment or just got a diagnosis, these are good places to start
Did you know?
The pink ribbon was almost peach.
A woman named Charlotte Haley made peach ribbons by hand in her dining room and said no when a magazine wanted to use them. They changed the color and moved forward without her. Scroll down to read the full story →
Where It Started
The History of Awareness Ribbons
Medieval
Knights were awarded yellow ribbons for battlefield honors, an early thread connecting ribbons with solidarity that still runs through our culture today.
1973
The song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" inspired Penney Laingen to tie yellow ribbons outside her home while her husband was held in Iran. Neighbors followed. The image stuck.
1991
The red ribbon for AIDS awareness introduced the looped ribbon format we recognize today, shifting ribbons from a folk gesture to an organized symbol of solidarity.
1992
The New York Times named this "The Year of the Ribbon." The pink ribbon gained wide recognition through Evelyn Lauder and SELF magazine, and the modern awareness ribbon era began in earnest.
Today
More than 50 ribbon colors represent cancer types alone, plus ribbons for autoimmune disease, hair loss, mental health, and dozens of other causes. Colors are set by individual nonprofits, which is why the same color can sometimes represent more than one condition. Every ribbon below exists for the same reason: a community that needed to be seen.
One color, multiple causes
Purple ribbons alone represent close to 19 different conditions. Where a ribbon color genuinely overlaps, we note it in the entry below.
Cancer Awareness
Cancer Awareness Ribbon Colors by Type
Most searched
The ribbons people look up most, with their colors, meanings, and awareness month.
Breast Cancer
Pink
October
Lung Cancer
White / Pearl
November
Colon, Bowel & Rectal
Dark Blue
March
Ovarian Cancer
Teal
September
Pancreatic Cancer
Purple
November
Prostate Cancer
Light Blue
September
Leukemia
Orange
September
Childhood Cancer
Gold
September
Melanoma / Skin
Black
May
All Cancers
Lavender Purple
General awareness
The story behind the pink ribbon
History of the Breast Cancer Ribbon
It started with a peach ribbon. And a woman who said no.
In 1991, a 68-year-old woman named Charlotte Haley began making peach ribbons by hand in her dining room. Her older sister had had breast cancer. Her daughter had had breast cancer. Her granddaughter had had breast cancer. She was angry that the system wasn't paying attention. Specifically, only five percent of the National Cancer Institute's annual budget went toward cancer prevention. So she did something about it.
She gave the ribbons away free, five to an envelope, each one pinned to a postcard. She handed them out at the local grocery store. She mailed them to former first ladies and to Dear Abby. Her message spread entirely by word of mouth.
"The National Cancer Institute annual budget is $1.8 billion, only 5 percent goes for cancer prevention. Help us wake up our legislators and America by wearing this ribbon."
— Charlotte Haley's postcard, 1991
Then Self magazine and Estée Lauder called. They wanted to use her ribbon in a national campaign. She said no. They were too commercial, and she wanted her message kept clean. Their lawyers gave them a different answer: change the color and you don't need her permission.
They chose pink. In October 1992, Estée Lauder distributed pink ribbons at cosmetics counters across the country. The pink ribbon became the most recognized cancer symbol in the world. Charlotte Haley's peach ribbon disappeared almost overnight, and with it her specific, uncomfortable message about prevention funding. Both the ribbon and the message she intended were left behind. These ribbons aren't just colors. They're how people recognize each other.
Charlotte died in 2014. Her daughter remembered visiting her near the end, both of them looking at what the pink ribbon had become. "We both looked at Mom and said, 'Hey, you started that.' And she just laughed. She says, 'Yep, I did.'"
The different breast cancer ribbons
What happened next follows the same pattern. When a community felt the official symbol didn't represent their experience, they created their own. The pink ribbon celebrates survivorship. But not everyone with breast cancer is surviving. Not everyone's cancer presents the same way. The ribbons below exist because people inside the experience decided the original no longer spoke for them. So they made something that did.
Breast Cancer (general)
Pink · October
The most recognized cancer ribbon in the world. Represents awareness, early detection, and solidarity for all people affected by breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV)
Green, Teal & Pink · October 13
Created by METAvivor for Stage IV patients who felt the general pink ribbon celebrates survivorship, which doesn't represent their reality. Green represents life over death, teal represents healing, and the thin pink overlay signifies the breast origin. Unlike the general pink ribbon, this one acknowledges that Stage IV has no cure. October 13 is their dedicated Awareness Day.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)
Pink & Orange/Salmon · October
IBC often presents without a lump, with skin redness, swelling, and an orange-peel texture that distinguishes it from typical breast cancer. The IBC Network Foundation designed this ribbon from within the patient community: pink for breast cancer, orange-salmon for IBC's unique presentation.
Male Breast Cancer
Pink & Blue · October
About 1% of breast cancer diagnoses occur in men. The pink ribbon's association with femininity has contributed to delayed diagnoses in men who don't recognize their symptoms as breast cancer. The pink and blue ribbon is a direct acknowledgment that this disease doesn't discriminate.
Hereditary Breast Cancer (BRCA)
Pink & Teal · October
For those whose breast cancer is linked to BRCA1, BRCA2, or other hereditary mutations. The teal acknowledges the ovarian cancer connection: women with BRCA mutations also face higher ovarian cancer risk. Both diseases, one ribbon.
Charlotte Haley's Peach Ribbon
Peach · 1991 · The original
Still worth remembering. Not just because it came first, but because the message it carried is still worth carrying: more money for prevention, less for the machine. Charlotte Haley never got credit. She also never stopped being right.
Life after breast cancer surgery
If you're looking for mastectomy bras, breast forms, or guidance on what to expect, we're here to help. Mastectomy bras with pockets · Breast forms & prostheses · Mastectomy bra buying guide
The story behind the gold ribbon
Why Is the Childhood Cancer Ribbon Gold?
Because children are more precious than gold.
In the 1990s, parents of children with cancer came together through the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and chose gold as their symbol: rare, enduring, precious, just like the children they were fighting for. The first gold ribbon lapel pins were produced in 1997.
Unlike most cancer ribbons, gold doesn't represent one specific diagnosis. It represents every form of cancer that affects children and adolescents. Every September, the Go Gold campaign lights landmarks around the world in its honor.
Complete Reference
Full Cancer Awareness Ribbon Colors
All cancer ribbon colors and meanings, arranged in rainbow order. Awareness months shown for each entry.
Breast Cancer
Pink
October
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Pink & Orange/Salmon
October
Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV)
Green, Teal & Pink
October 13
Blood Cancer (general)
Red
September
Kidney (Renal) Cancer
Orange
March
The orange cancer ribbon meaning: kidney cancer (March) and leukemia (September) share this color
Leukemia
Orange
September
The leukemia ribbon color is orange, shared with kidney cancer
Appendix Cancer
Amber
August
Bladder Cancer
Yellow, Purple & Blue
May
The bladder cancer ribbon color is a tricolor of yellow, purple, and blue
Bone Cancer
Yellow
July (Sarcoma month)
Childhood Cancer
Gold
September
Gold because children are more precious than gold. First ribbon pins produced 1997.
Sarcoma / Soft Tissue Cancer
Yellow
July
Adrenal Cancer
Green
Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)
Kelly Green
February
Bone Marrow Cancer
Green
Gallbladder Cancer
Kelly Green
February
Liver Cancer
Emerald Green
October
Lymphoma (general)
Lime Green
September
The lymphoma ribbon color is lime green for non-Hodgkin's, violet for Hodgkin's
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Lime Green
September
Ovarian Cancer
Teal
September
The ovarian cancer ribbon color is teal. Introduced 1995. Often called the silent killer due to subtle symptoms.
Peritoneal Cancer
Teal
September
Same ribbon as ovarian
Fallopian Tube Cancer
Teal
September
Same ribbon as ovarian
Vaginal Cancer
Teal
September
Under gynecologic cancer umbrella
Cervical Cancer
Teal & White
January
Esophageal Cancer
Periwinkle
April
Stomach Cancer
Periwinkle
November
Prostate Cancer
Light Blue
September
Penile Cancer
Light Blue
Same shade as prostate; light blue covers several male reproductive cancers
Mesothelioma
Blue or Pearl
September 26
Colon & Colorectal Cancer
Dark Blue
March
The colon cancer ribbon color is dark blue
Bowel Cancer
Dark Blue
March
Same ribbon as colorectal
Rectal Cancer
Dark Blue
March
Same ribbon as colorectal
Male Breast Cancer
Baby Blue
October
All Cancers
Lavender
Lavender is the general all-cancers awareness color, distinct from the deeper purple used for survivors and specific cancers.
All Cancer Survivors
Purple
June (Survivors Day)
Purple has long been the color for cancer survivors. National Cancer Survivors Day is the first Sunday in June.
Testicular Cancer
Orchid
April
Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Violet
September
GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor)
Purple
July
Gynecologic Cancer (general)
Purple
September
Leiomyosarcoma
Purple
July
Pancreatic Cancer
Purple
November
Thymoma
Purple
Endometrial Cancer
Peach
September
Most common uterine cancer; same peach ribbon as uterine cancer broadly
Uterine Cancer
Peach
September
Includes endometrial cancer; peach ribbon shared with uterine cancers
Vulvar Cancer
Silver
May
Multiple Myeloma
Burgundy
March
Brain Cancer
Grey (Gray)
May
Represents the brain's gray matter
Lung Cancer
White / Pearl
November
The lung cancer ribbon color is white or pearl
Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Black
May
Black ribbon represents melanoma specifically, the most serious form of skin cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
Burgundy & Cream
April
Oral Cancer
Burgundy & Ivory
April
Anal Cancer
Green & Purple
Thyroid Cancer
Blue, Teal & Pink
September
The thyroid cancer ribbon color is blue, teal, and pink
Carcinoid Cancer / NETs
Zebra (Black & White)
November
Don't see the cancer type you're looking for?
With over 120 recognized cancer types, not every ribbon is widely standardized. Searching the cancer name alongside "awareness ribbon" will usually surface the color used by its primary advocacy organization.
No widely recognized ribbon:
Some cancers, including parathyroid cancer, pituitary cancer, ampullary cancer, small intestine cancer, and several other rare types, do not yet have a nationally standardized awareness ribbon. For these, lavender (all cancers) is often worn in their honor.
Awareness ribbons also exist for many other conditions: autoimmune diseases, hair loss conditions, chronic illness, and more. See all other condition ribbons →
Where to Start After a Diagnosis
Here's where to start, based on what you're dealing with right now.
For many women, hair loss is one of the most visible parts of this experience.
1
Starting chemo soon
You're probably making a lot of decisions right now. This is one you can make at your own pace.
Most women find it's easier to choose a wig before hair loss begins, while you still have your hair as a color and style reference.
2
Already losing hair
Ready-to-wear wigs and soft headwear are usually the fastest path to feeling like yourself again. Both can work at the same time.
Or find what you need by situation
Breast Cancer
After a mastectomy or lumpectomy
Finding the right fit after breast surgery takes patience, but the right bra and breast form make an enormous difference day to day.
For Caregivers & Loved Ones
Supporting someone going through this
Sometimes the hardest part is knowing what to say, or what to do. These guides are written for the people in the room.
A note from our founder
I think about Charlotte Haley more than people might expect.
She made ribbons by hand in her dining room because the system wasn't paying attention, and she couldn't accept that. Her message was specific and uncomfortable: only five cents of every dollar the National Cancer Institute spent went toward keeping women from getting breast cancer in the first place. She wanted to change that. When a magazine and a cosmetics company came calling, she said no. They took her idea anyway, changed the color just enough to stay legal, and the peach ribbon disappeared. The pink ribbon became what it is: everywhere in October, attached to products, largely disconnected from the fight Charlotte actually wanted to have.
My mother Carol founded Headcovers in 1994, and I came alongside her to help build it. She'd had breast cancer and couldn't find hats and wigs that were actually beautiful, made by someone who understood what she was going through because they were going through it too. That was her insight, her reason, her conviction. I was there to help her make it real.
Thirty-one years later, we're still here: still independent, still run by the people who started it, still for the women Charlotte Haley was thinking of when she made those ribbons. Not for October. All year.
— Danielle
Reference
Awareness Ribbons for Other Conditions
Many women living with cancer are also managing autoimmune conditions, hair loss disorders, or chronic illness. We've included them here because these communities matter too.
Alopecia Areata
Blue
August
Causes patchy or full hair loss
Alopecia Totalis & Universalis
Blue
August
Total or full-body hair loss
Alzheimer's Disease
Purple
November
ALS / Lou Gehrig's Disease
Blue & White Pinstripes
May
Crohn's Disease / IBD
Blue
December
Chronic inflammatory bowel disease
Diabetes
Grey or Blue
November
Endometriosis
Yellow
March
Female Pattern Hair Loss
Blue
Crown and temple thinning, most common in women over 40
Fibromyalgia
Purple
May
Heart Disease
Red
February
HIV / AIDS
Red
December 1
Lichen Planopilaris
Blue
Scarring alopecia that causes hair loss
Lupus (Systemic & Discoid)
Purple
May
Both types cause hair loss
Lymphedema
Light Blue
March
Swelling condition, not lymphoma
Mental Health
Green
May
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Orange
May
Some MS medications cause hair loss
Osteoporosis
White
May
Common in post-menopausal women and breast cancer survivors
PCOS
Purple
September
Hormonal hair thinning at crown and temples
Psoriasis
Orange
August
Scalp psoriasis can cause hair loss
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Purple
May
RA medications can cause hair thinning
Scleroderma
Teal
June
Affects skin and organs, disproportionately affects women
Sjögren's Syndrome
Purple or Blue
April
Causes dry eyes, fatigue, and hair loss
Stroke
Red
May
Thyroid Disease
Light Blue
January
Hashimoto's, Graves'. Diffuse scalp thinning
Trichotillomania
Teal
Compulsive hair-pulling disorder
Lymphedema is not the same as lymphoma
Lymphedema is a swelling condition caused by lymphatic system damage. It's not a cancer. It affects many women after breast cancer surgery. Its ribbon is light blue. Lymphoma (a blood cancer) has its own ribbon: lime green, listed in the cancer section above.
Common Questions
Cancer Ribbon Color FAQ
What color is the breast cancer ribbon? +
The general breast cancer ribbon is pink. However, there are several breast cancer ribbons: pink for general awareness (October), green/teal/pink for metastatic breast cancer (Stage IV), pink and orange-salmon for inflammatory breast cancer, pink and blue for male breast cancer, and pink and teal for hereditary breast cancer linked to BRCA mutations.
What color is the ovarian cancer ribbon? +
The ovarian cancer ribbon is teal. Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is September.
What color ribbon represents all cancers? +
A lavender purple ribbon represents all cancers collectively. It is worn to show general cancer awareness or support for someone facing any type of cancer, and is also used to honor all cancer survivors.
Why is the breast cancer ribbon pink? +
The original breast cancer ribbon was actually peach, created by Charlotte Haley in 1991. When Self magazine and Estée Lauder wanted to use it, she refused. Their lawyers advised them to change the color, so they chose pink. Haley's peach ribbon, and her specific message about prevention funding, largely disappeared as a result.
Who decides what color a cancer ribbon is? +
Ribbon colors are set by individual nonprofit organizations dedicated to each disease, not the American Cancer Society or any single governing body. This is why the same color can sometimes represent more than one condition, and why some cancers have multiple ribbons representing different communities within that diagnosis.
What color is the colon cancer ribbon? +
The colon and colorectal cancer ribbon is dark blue. Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is March. The dark blue ribbon covers colon, rectal, and bowel cancers. Note: colorectal cancer originally used a brown ribbon before switching to dark blue, which is why some older references show brown.
What color is the lung cancer ribbon? +
The lung cancer ribbon is white or pearl. Lung Cancer Awareness Month is November.
What does the yellow cancer ribbon mean? +
The yellow cancer ribbon represents sarcoma and bone cancer. Sarcoma Awareness Month is July. Gold, a slightly deeper shade, is the childhood cancer ribbon. Bladder cancer uses a separate tricolor ribbon of yellow, purple, and blue.
What does the orange cancer ribbon mean? +
The orange cancer ribbon represents two cancers: leukemia (September) and kidney cancer (March). Both share the orange ribbon color, so the awareness month helps clarify which cancer is being recognized.
Why are there so many blue cancer ribbons? +
Blue is the most divided ribbon color in cancer awareness. Dark blue represents colon and colorectal cancer. Light blue represents prostate cancer. Periwinkle represents esophageal and stomach cancer. Blue, teal, and pink together represent thyroid cancer. Baby blue represents male breast cancer. The specific shade determines which cancer is being represented.
Why are there so many purple cancer ribbons? +
Purple has long been the color for cancer survivors, associated with National Cancer Survivors Day each June. It used to carry the broader all-cancers meaning too, but that role has shifted to lavender. Today deep purple also covers specific cancers: pancreatic, gynecologic, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and several rare cancers. Lavender is the lighter shade now used for general all-cancers awareness. Shade and context matter with purple more than almost any other ribbon color.
Why is the childhood cancer ribbon gold? +
Gold was chosen because children are more precious than gold. Parents came together through the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation in the 1990s and selected gold as their universal symbol. The first gold ribbon lapel pins were produced in 1997. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Why is the ovarian cancer ribbon teal? +
The teal ribbon for ovarian cancer was introduced in 1995 by the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. Teal was chosen as a calming, healing color, intentionally distinct from pink, to represent a cancer often called the silent killer because its symptoms are subtle and frequently diagnosed late. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
If you're coming back to this page after a diagnosis or a treatment plan has changed, this is where most women start →
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Cancer Ribbon Colors Reference Chart
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