| | Cancer | Skin Cancer
Cancer Awareness Pins: Meaning, Impact, and Why People Wear Them
Primary Purposes
- Raise awareness – visual prompt for conversations about prevention, screening, symptoms.
- Show solidarity – visible support for patients, survivors, caregivers, and those lost.
- Fundraising – many pins sold by charities; proceeds fund research, patient services, advocacy.
- Reduce stigma – normalize discussion of cancer; counteract silence and fear.
- Encourage early detection – reminders for mammograms, colonoscopies, skin checks, etc.
Common Colors & Associated Cancers
| Color | Cancer(s) |
|---|---|
| Pink | Breast |
| Teal | Ovarian, cervical |
| Light blue | Prostate |
| Dark blue | Colon/colorectal |
| Orange | Leukemia, kidney |
| Gold | Childhood cancers |
| Purple | Pancreatic, testicular, thyroid, lupus (not cancer) |
| Gray | Brain |
| Lavender | All cancers / general cancer awareness |
| Black | Melanoma / skin cancer |
| White | Lung |
| Periwinkle | Stomach / esophageal |