Cancer ribbons are used to raise awareness about specific cancers such as lung, breast, and prostate cancers.
Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin for Verywell Health
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Pancreatic cancer awareness, including wearing purple ribbons, consists of encouraging those at risk to be screened.
Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin for Verywell Health
Diagnosis can also be achieved through transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests.
There are three main types:
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Gray ribbons are worn to show support for survivors and those who have brain cancer.
Fundraisers and awareness events are often held in May.
How Many Cancer Ribbon Colors Are There?
There are 57 common cancer ribbon colors.
While some cancer ribbons are well-known, others are often only worn by a select group of supporters.
However, there is a great need to draw attention to all types of cancers.
Other Cancer Ribbons
Some advocates work to build awareness of cancer in general.
To call attention to cancer as a whole, some people wear a light purple or lavender ribbon.
A similar color is also sometimes used to represent esophageal cancer and cancer survivors, though.
Thus, there is some crossover of colors and ribbons.
Colored ribbons are often worn during certain months designated to the specific types of cancer.
Advocacy groups have also created ribbons in an effort to encourage people to join their cause.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.Together in TEAL.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure.The Pink Ribbon Story.
American Cancer Society.Breast statistics.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer Stat Facts: Prostate Cancer.
2021 Feb 13;13(2):e13325.
doi:10.7759/cureus.13325
American Cancer Society.Survival rates for prostate cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lung cancer basics.
doi:10.1097/jnr.0000000000000293
Carter-Bawa L.Shifting the Lens on Lung Cancer Screening Inequities.JAMA Netw Open.
2024 May 1;7(5):e2412782.
2023 May-Jun;73(3):233-254. doi:10.3322/caac.21772
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: pancreatic cancer.
National Brain Tumor Society.About Gray May.
American Cancer Society.Rare Cancers, Cancer Subtypes, and Pre-Cancers.
Choose Hope.Calendar of Cancer Awareness Months.
Choose Hope.Cancer Color or bang out.
