Guide to Cancer Awareness Ribbon Colors
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2019/02/28 - Updated: 2025/05/01
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Category Topic: Disability Awareness - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This article and its accompanying chart serves as a detailed guide to the colors associated with various types of cancer, making it an invaluable resource for anyone wishing to support cancer awareness. It includes a comprehensive list of cancers and their corresponding colors, providing helpful information for those participating in fundraising events, wearing awareness ribbons, or expressing solidarity with loved ones affected by cancer. The article offers an engaging and insightful perspective, emphasizing the significance of awareness and the positive impact individual actions can have on those affected. By learning about the colors linked to each type of cancer, readers can make thoughtful choices about how to show their support and contribute to awareness campaigns - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Cancer is defined as a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. The majority of cancers are due to environmental risk factors, and many - but not all - of these environmental factors are controllable lifestyle choices - (List of Known Carcinogens That Cause Cancer in Humans).
Main Content
Today's cancer research ranges from epidemiology, molecular bioscience to clinical trials to evaluate and compare applications of the various cancer treatments including; surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy and combined treatment modalities such as chemo-radiotherapy.
World Cancer Day Awareness : Outline of World Cancer Day and associated events focused on cancer awareness which takes place each year on the 4th February. Many cancers today can be prevented by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, not drinking too much alcohol, eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, vaccination against certain infectious diseases, not eating too much processed and red meat and avoiding too much sunlight exposure.
Cancer Awareness: Color Chart of Ribbon Colors for Cancers
| Ribbon Color(s) | Cancer Type | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amber | Appendix Cancer | |||
| Black | Skin Cancer (or orange with a sun) - Melanoma | |||
| Burgundy | Multiple Myeloma | |||
| Blue | Colon Cancer - Colorectal Cancer - Rectal Cancer (Blue or Brown) | |||
| Emerald | Liver Cancer (Emerald or Jade Green) | |||
| Gold | Childhood Cancer | |||
| Gray | Brain Cancer - Glioblastoma | |||
| Green | Bile Duct Cancer - Bone Marrow Transplant - Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma) (Green or Orange) | |||
| Lavender | All Cancers | |||
| Light Blue | Prostate Cancer - Lymphedema | |||
| Light Purple | Testicular Cancer | |||
| Lime Green | Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | |||
| Orange | Leukemia - Kidney Cancer - Skin Cancer - (Orange with a sun, or black) | |||
| Peach | Uterine - Endometrial Cancer | |||
| Periwinkle | Gastric Cancer - Small Intestine Cancer - Stomach Cancer - Esophageal Cancer | |||
| Pink | Breast Cancer - Hot Pink for Inflammatory Breast Cancer - Teal and Pink for Hereditary Breast Cancer and for Breast and Gynecologic Cancers Together - Male Breast Cancer: Light Baby Pink and Baby Blue. | |||
| Purple | Pancreatic Cancer - Cancer Survivor - Leiomyosarcoma - Testicular Cancer (Purple Orchid or Violet) | |||
| Teal | Ovarian Cancer - Gynecological Cancer | |||
| Violet | Hodgkin Lymphoma | |||
| White Pearl |
Lung Cancer - Mesothelioma (Pearl) - Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (Pearl) - Retinoblastoma | |||
| Yellow | Bone Cancer - Cholangiocarcinoma - Chondrosarcoma - Ewing's Sarcoma - Gallbladder Cancer - Osteosarcoma - Sarcoma | |||
| White Burgundy |
Head and Neck Cancers - Laryngeal Cancer - Oral Cancer (Burgundy and White or Red and White) - Pharyngeal Cancer - Throat Cancer | |||
| White Teal |
Cervical Cancer | |||
| Blue Pink Teal |
Thyroid Cancer | |||
| Blue Yellow Purple |
Bladder Cancer | |||
| Zebra | Carcinoid Cancer - Neuroendocrine Cancers - Rare Diseases (Including Rare Cancers) | |||
| Red White Red |
Leukemia and Lymphoma Together - Skin Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) |
|||
| Blue Silver |
Living (Coping) with Cancer | |||
| Orange Red |
Myeloproliferative Diseases | |||
| Blue Pink-Purple Teal |
Thyroid Cancer - Blue/Pink-Purple/Teal (tricolored) | |||
NOTE: This is not a full list of all ribbon colors for all cancer types, it will be updated as other colors for cancers are verified.
Image of Some Cancer Awareness Ribbons
Print Our Cancer Awareness Ribbon Chart
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Cancer's reach touches nearly every community, making awareness more than a gesture - it's a bridge to understanding. By decoding ribbon colors, this guide equips readers to signal support thoughtfully, whether at events, through attire, or in personal connections. Its value lies not just in cataloging hues but in transforming color into a universal language of empathy, helping individuals align their actions with the nuanced needs of those impacted - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.