Cancer Ribbon Colors: The Ultimate Guide - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeCancer Ribbon Colors: Your Definitive Guide

Medically reviewed by Christina Chun, MPH — Written by Anna Schaefer — Updated on February 15, 2018

You see them on lapels and printed on T-shirts and stickers. Wearing a ribbon is a simple way of showing your support for people who have cancer. It’s a way to spread awareness and send a message of solidarity without having to say a word.

Different ribbons represent every form of cancer. We’ve compiled a list of the 28 most common ribbons. Read on to learn what type of cancer they represent and what else you can do to spread awareness.

Appendix cancer

Color: Amber

Appendix cancer is considered extremely rare, with one diagnosis per 500,000 people worldwide each year. It’s most common in people in their forties and fifties, and it affects men and women equally. There are several different types of appendix cancer, but each begins in the cells lining the inside of the organ.

Bladder cancer

Colors: Blue, marigold, and purple

Awareness month: May

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men. It accounts for about 5 percent of all new cancer cases in the United States. As with most types of cancer, the risk of bladder cancer increases with age. Smokers are two times more likely to develop it than nonsmokers, according to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN). To show your support, you can take part in annual AmpUp! walks. They are supported by the BCAN and take place in May.

Brain tumor

Color: Grey

Awareness month: May

May is Brain Tumor Awareness month, and you’ll find walks and fundraisers across the country. According to the National Brain Tumor Society, more than 688,000 people in the United States have a brain tumor. Some tumors are cancerous and some are not, but all can negatively impact the lives of the people who have them. You can learn more through the American Brain Tumor Association.

Breast cancer

Color: Pink

Awareness month: October

Pink ribbons are synonymous with breast cancer awareness, particularly in October. The National Breast Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen, National Breast Cancer Foundation, and other advocacy organizations hold walks, fundraisers, and events in October and throughout the year.

About 12 percent of women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. The rate of breast cancer has been declining, and survival rates continue to improve. Still, the disease remains the deadliest and most-diagnosed form of cancer among women.

Carcinoid cancer

Color: Zebra print

Awareness month: November

Carcinoid cancer is one of the lesser-known cancer types. It affects more than 12,000 people each year in the United States, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. Carcinoid tumors are slow-growing. They generally start in the endocrine system, but they can appear throughout the body. These tumors can ultimately be fatal, but their slow-growing nature means people typically live for many years.

Cervical cancer

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Colors: Teal and white

Awareness month: January

Nearly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, according to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC). Most women are regularly screened for this disease at their check-ups. Women are at risk due to the sexually transmitted virus called human papillomavirus (HPV).

Each year in January, the NCCC, Foundation for Women’s Cancer, Cervical Cancer Action, and other organizations push to raise awareness about cervical cancer, early detection, and HPV prevention.

Childhood cancer

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Color: Gold

Awareness month: September

According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, nearly 16,000 people younger than 21 years are diagnosed with cancer every year in the United States. About one in four of them will not survive. According to the National Cancer Institute, the most common types of cancer in children are acute lymphocytic leukemia, neuroblastoma, and brain and other nervous system tumors. Many of these cancer types have their own support organizations and advocacy groups, but September is reserved for childhood cancers of all types.

Colon cancer

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Color: Blue

Awareness month: March

According to the Colon Cancer Alliance, the risk of developing colon cancer is one in 20. Doctors screen for this type of cancer by looking for polyps in the colon and rectum. Like most forms of cancer, early detection can make a big difference in survival rates. If identified at the local stage, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent. However, if identified at a later stage when the cancer has spread, the five-year survival rate is 12 percent.

March is Colon Cancer Awareness month. You can show your support by wearing blue on March 3, National Dress in Blue Day.

Endometrial cancer

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Color: Peach

Awareness month: September

Endometrial cancer is just one type of cancer that’s marked in the month of September as part of Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. This type of cancer is newly diagnosed in about 61,380 women each year in the United States. The average age of diagnosis is 60 years.

Organizations such as the Mary Kay Foundation and the Nancy Yeary Women’s Cancer Research Foundation raise money and awareness to fight endometrial cancer. They also help women get the treatment and support they need after a diagnosis.

Esophageal cancer

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Color: Periwinkle

Awareness month: April

Esophageal cancer is more common in men than in women, with 16,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. To raise awareness in April, the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association suggests not just wearing the color periwinkle, but also planting the flower of the same name.

Gallbladder cancer

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Color: Green

Awareness month: February

According to the American Cancer Society, 4,000 people are diagnosed with gallbladder cancer every year in the United States. As with most types of cancer, survival depends on when the cancer is identified. Gallbladder cancer isn’t often found until it’s in advanced stages. Only one in five cases are found in early stages.

Head and neck cancer

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Colors: Burgundy and ivory

Awareness week: April 2–9, 2017

The Head and Neck Cancer Alliance hosts a head and neck cancer awareness week each year. It promotes awareness through free screenings and education. Head and neck cancers include cancers that affect the:

mouth
throat
voice box
sinuses and nose
salivary glands

They account for approximately 3 percent of all cancers in the United States.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

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Color: Violet

Awareness month: September

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system. It is less common than non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, though it affects about 8,500 people every year. Major awareness campaigns are run by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Kidney cancer

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Color: Orange

Awareness month: March

According to the Kidney Cancer Association, about 50,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year. At least one genetic disorder, called von Hippel-Lindau disease, is associated with a high risk of kidney cancer. However, most risk factors are similar to other cancer types. These factors include smoking and obesity.

Early detection can improve prognosis. Symptoms of kidney cancer may include blood in the urine, an abdominal mass, and back or flank pain.

Leiomyosarcoma

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Color: Purple

Awareness day: July 15

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare cancer of the soft tissues of smooth muscle cells. This type of cancer is most common in the:

uterus
small intestine
stomach
abdomen

Treatment for this type of cancer is difficult. The tumors can be aggressive and irregular. Organizations like the Leiomyosarcoma Direct Research Foundation and the National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation raise money and awareness to support a cure for leiomyosarcoma. These efforts include Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day on July 15.

Leukemia

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Color: Orange

Awareness month: September

Leukemia is also represented by the color orange. It accounts for 35 percent of all blood cancer diagnoses in the United States. Leukemia awareness and campaigns are organized by the The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Liver cancer

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Color: Emerald

Awareness month: October

Liver cancer is an aggressive form of cancer. According to the American Association for Cancer Research, it affects some 39,000 new people each year in the United States. The five-year survival rate for liver cancer is 17.5 percent, so early detection is important. Organizations such as the American Liver Foundation and Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association raise money and awareness to fight liver cancer.

Lung cancer

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Color: White

Awareness month: November

Though we commonly think of lung cancer as a disease that affects tobacco smokers, it can affect anyone. Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer among both men and women. It is responsible for more deaths than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined, according to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Though smoking is certainly a risk factor, it’s not the only one.

In November and throughout the year, organizations like the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, the Lungevity Foundation, and the Lung Cancer Alliance support patients, survivors, loved ones, caregivers, and other supporters of a cure for this disease.

Melanoma and skin cancer

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Color: Black

Awareness month: May

Skin cancer is the most common cancer type in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Melanoma is the deadliest form, killing one person in the United States every hour.

May is recognized as Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and the first Monday of that month is reserved for Melanoma Monday. Organizations like American Academy of Dermatology, the Skin Cancer Foundation, and the Melanoma Research Foundation hold fundraisers and offer free screenings. They hope to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of skin cancer.

Multiple myeloma

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Color: Burgundy

Awareness month: March

Multiple myeloma is the second most common type of blood cancer, according to the International Myeloma Foundation. There are 30,280 new cases per year. It’s rarer than some other forms of cancer, and many people haven’t heard of it. For this reason, March is designated as Myeloma Awareness Month. The International Myeloma Foundation, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Myeloma Crowd help raise money and support for the disease.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

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Color: Lime green

Awareness month: September

Someone is diagnosed with blood cancer every 3 minutes in the United States. Leukemia and lymphoma are two different types of blood-related cancer, but you often see them recognized together. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, for example, is the leading organization for blood cancer research.

Ovarian cancer

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Color: Teal

Awareness month: September (and May 8)

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, but organizations and survivors across the globe also mark May 8th as World Ovarian Cancer Day.

One in 75 women in the United States will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime, according to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. And while the disease has over a 90 percent five-year survival rate with early detection, only 20 percent of cases are caught in the earliest stages. Organizations including the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance work to find a cure, improve treatments, and promote earlier detection.

Pancreatic cancer

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Color: Purple

Awareness month: November

Pancreatic cancer is a particularly deadly form of cancer. It’s the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. According to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, the disease has a one-year survival rate of 28 percent, and a five-year survival rate of 7 percent. This is partly because it’s rarely detected early.

In November, organizations including the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Lustgarten Foundation, and National Pancreas Foundation rally to raise awareness and money for pancreatic cancer research.

Prostate cancer

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Color: Light blue

Awareness month: September

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in U.S. men. It affects 3 million men, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. When caught early, the disease is completely treatable. Because the risk of prostate cancer increases significantly with age, it’s important that men have regular screenings beginning in middle age.

In September, several organizations raise money and awareness to fight prostate cancer and to encourage men to get regular screenings. These include the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Prostate Cancer Research Institute, and ZERO: The End of Prostate Cancer.

Sarcoma (bone cancer)

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Color: Yellow

Awareness month: July

Sarcoma, more commonly known as bone cancer, can affect far more than just the bones. It can affect any type of connective tissue in the body, including muscles, deep skin tissues, cartilage, and more. An estimated 20 percent of childhood cancers are sarcomas.

Various organizations that support bone cancer research have petitioned the federal government to declare July as Sarcoma Awareness Month. That has not yet happened, but organizations like the Sarcoma Alliance, Beat Sarcoma, and the Sarcoma Foundation of America recognize it regardless.

Stomach cancer

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Color: Periwinkle

Awareness month: November

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, affects the cells in the lining of the stomach. It’s the fifth most common form of cancer in the world. There are approximately one million new cases diagnosed each year across the globe.

In November, organizations like No Stomach for Cancer, the Gastric Cancer Foundation, and Debbie’s Dream Foundation raise money and awareness for the disease. They host walks, golf tournaments, and fundraisers to support research for a cure.

Testicular cancer

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Color: Orchid

Awareness month: April

Testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among young men ages 15 to 34. According to the Testicular Cancer Foundation, one man is diagnosed every hour in the United States alone. Promoting early detection and self-checks is crucial, especially because younger men are rarely concerned about developing cancer.

Throughout the year, but especially in April during Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, organizations like the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation, the Testicular Cancer Foundation, and the Testicular Cancer Society work to raise awareness and decrease stigma associated with testicular cancer and cancer screenings.

Thyroid cancer

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Colors: Teal, pink, and blue

Awareness month: September

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. Cancer of the thyroid gland is relatively common, with about 56,870 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. In September, you can find numerous support events and fundraisers from organizations such as REACT Thyroid Foundation, American Thyroid Association, and Light of Life Foundation.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Medically reviewed by Christina Chun, MPH — Written by Anna Schaefer — Updated on February 15, 2018

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Appendix cancer

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Childhood cancer

Colon cancer

Endometrial cancer

Esophageal cancer

Gallbladder cancer

Head and neck cancer

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

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Leukemia

Liver cancer

Lung cancer

Melanoma and skin cancer

Multiple myeloma

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Ovarian cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Prostate cancer

Sarcoma (bone cancer)

Stomach cancer

Testicular cancer

Thyroid cancer

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