Tattoo Ideas: Breast Cancer Pink Awareness Ribbons
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When I was in elementary school in the early 1990s I remember seeing neighbors tie yellow ribbons around the trees in their front yard. My grandparents told me it was in support of our troops, who were overseas fighting in Operation Desert Storm. In high school, I started noticing red ribbons pinned to the shirts of classmates and learned that they were a symbol of AIDS awareness, dyed red because that's the color of passion. The ribbon has been a symbol of awareness ever since.
In 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants at NYC's race for breast cancer survivors. Later, ribbons were distributed in various New York City department stores. According to Wikipedia, "Charlotte Hayley, who battled breast cancer, produced peach color ribbons. She sold them with a card saying, "The National Cancer Institute annual budget is 1.8 billion US Dollars, and only 5 percent goes for cancer prevention. Help us wake up our legislators and America by wearing this ribbon". It was eventually decided that the permanent color of the ribbon would be pink. It quickly became an international symbol of breast cancer awareness.
Each year breast cancer kills more than 500,000 men and women worldwide, although breast cancer in men is 100 times less likely than breast cancer in women. It is the second most common type of cancer, and the fifth most common cause of death by cancer.
Early detection and prevention are key. The best thing a woman can do is to give herself a breast exam at least once a month to detect any lumps around the breast tissue, and to visit her OB/GYN once a year. Breast self exams should start being done as early as your 20s. It's easy to do, it takes five minutes and noticing a lump early on could absolutely save your life. For detailed instructions on how to do a breast self exam, check out this link: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_How_to_perform_a_breast_self_exam_5.asp
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and during this time thousands of products are emblazoned with the pink ribbon symbol with the intention being that a small portion of the proceeds will be donated to breast cancer prevention or research. Particularly during this month, a pink ribbon is worn to recognize the struggle that breast cancer sufferers must face. For those who have lost a loved one to the disease, a year-round and lifelong tribute is to get a tattoo of the pink ribbon. The pink ribbon tattoo is equally applicable to those who have had a loved one suffer from the disease but survive, as well as those who have valiantly battled breast cancer themselves--and won.
Pink Ribbon tattoos
A simple, standard pink ribbon tattoo would get the point across perfectly, but I am always amazed at the other creative ways people find to express the sentiment. The tattoos below are beautiful. One twists the pink ribbon into the shape of a heart; another pink ribbon is surrounded by a tribal butterfly design accompanied by pink- and blackwork. My favorite is the angelic, winged pink ribbon with halo on top. There are endless ways of customizing the pink ribbon designs, and a quick Google search will lead you to websites brimming with ideas.
Creative Pink Ribbon tattoos
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This is a beautiful hub. I got a tattoo in honor (at the time I got it 2-2008) of my Grandmother. Her 1st battle with Cancer was that of the breast. She did get to see it once before she passed. She said "Honey it's pretty,but don't get another one". She passed away on 3-14-08, I feel now more than ever I need to complete the tattoo with Angelic wings and a Halo. It is a simple pink ribbon the words "Hope, Faith & Courage" written in script on the ribbon....very sweet.
THANKS FOR PUTTING THESE ON HERE TO SEE. I AM TRYING TO FIND A BREAST CANCER TATTOO THAT I LIKE . MYMOM DIED AT AGE FORTY FROM BREAST CANCER AND I HAVE WANTED ONE EVER SINCE. THANKS CHRISTY
All of theses tattoos are beautiful examples of what I am looking for. My mother was diagnosed in October of '08 and has the most positive attitude about her battle. Thank all of you for posting your designs. This will help me in designing one in honor of my mother.
All these tattos are beautiful. I am looking for one for myself I was diagnosed in August of '08 with breast cancer and I am fighting it now. I want to get one when I get cleared as a reminder of the fight I won.
These are very beautiful tattoos designed in support of breast cancer. I am also looking to get a tattoo in honor of my mother who was diagnosed in September of '07 and who has been cancer free since October of '08. It will be a tribute to her fight and to all who continue to fight the same battle. My prayers are with you all.
Thanks so much for posting these beautiful pictures of these tattoos. My mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of weeks ago. She is getting surgery tomorrow 2/10/09. She was very lucky they caught it in stage 1, but she is very afraid that her breast will never look the same, so I want a tattoo on my right breast so mine, like hers will never look the same.
I am a 13 year breast cancer survivor. My sister passed away from breast cancer two years ago. I have a daughter that I hope never experiences the disease first hand. So, I designed my own tattoo that had meaning to me. A pink ribbon is the focus then I did symbols - one for each of us. I had my sister's name added after she passed away. I love it and gave it a lot of thought before I did it. My daughter had the same tattoo done as well.
These are beautiful. I am planning on getting one in honor of my grandmother, who is currently battling her SECOND round of BC. God Bless.
Very nice... my mother just passed away in December losing her 2nd fight with cancer. My aunt also passed away numerous years ago and now my grandmother has been diagnosed... what a good way to mark a memory - I may get one myself.
i have been looking for a few months for an idea for a breast cancer tattoo. my grandmother fought 6 hard years against it and died when i was 15 and now 10 years later my mom has it and thankfully has been in remission for 2 years. i wanted a way to honor both of them and these gave me a bunch of great ideas :-)
I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A WHILE ON IDEAS FOR A BREAST CANCER TATTOO. MY GRANDMA HAD IT AND SURVIVED. NOW MY AUNT HAD IT AND HAD A MASECTOMY IN 2007, FINISHED CHEMO LAST YR AND JUST FOUND OUT SHE HAS A MASS IN HER BRAIN. THEY DID SURGERY LAST WEEK AND WE ARE CROSSING OUR FINGERS THE RESULTS WILL BE GOOD.
That is a very unique way to show the fight. I hope that a cure will be found soon. I have written a lot on breast cancer and realise that knowledge is key to our fight.
My sister just died of breast cancer and I am getting a tattoo for her on me. I was looking for a nice way to get the breast cance ribbion on me and I have found a way. Thanks so much.
these tattoos are beatiful. My Mom found out she had breast cancer 15 years ago then last year was told she told she had it again in the other breast. After another round of treatments she went to get a check up and now they tell her she has it a third time. I want a to get a tattoo in honor of her and her hard battle and to remind me of how strong she is. Thanks a lot!!!
i too am looking for ideas for myself to represent my own fight. im 33, the mother of a 6 and 2 year old. had a double mastectomy on 2/13/09 with a second surgery 3/20/09 for more lymph node removal. i start chemo on 4/20. i want to put one on the back of my neck so people know why i have no hair. with summer coming i worry about a wig being too hot so i may have to go o'natural. thanks for all of your ideas.
This has helped me with getting ideas of what I want my design to be my mother died 5 years ago this April and her sis ter has been cancer free for 10 yrs so this means alot to me.
I am looking to get a breast cancer ribbon very soon for my mother who was diagnosed a week ago with it for the 3RD TIME! Also for my grandmother, aunt, and cousin who passed from it, and for a cousin who is a survivor, and 4
all of the families that have had to see a loved one suffer. These tattoos are GREAT!
Hey everyone. These are all beautiful. i have wanted a breast cancer tattoo ever since my grandmother passed away; she meant everything to me. I want to somehow put music in the tattoo, since she filled my life with music, and it is a huge part of my life still. I was thinking maybe music notes around it, or a staff behind the ribbon....any ideas/pics??
My mom just passed away less than a month ago after fighting breast cancer for 6 years. I wish I got the tattoo before she passed away so she could see it but now, getting tattoo in her honour is one of my top priorities and these design ideas help me out a lot. My biggest fear is of needles but thats probably nothing compared to what she must've been feeling the last 6 years. My heart goes out to all of you who are fighting/have fought this terrible illness. May there be an answer to cancer.
i have one on my wrist for my grandma =)
i think these are beautiful
For those of you out there that have gone through whole breast radiation you know what the 3 marker tattoos are for. The butterflies would be perfect to put over those spots! Thanks for the idea!
My mother is a survivor of breast cancer. I got a tattoo just because.....I just felt it was something I needed to do. Since my mother and I love shoes, I designed a red stilitoe w/the pink ribbon on the back of the heel. It's so us!!
All these ideas are beautiful..!
My
I LOVE THIS WEBSITE BECAUSE.. IVE BEEN TRYIN TO FIND A WEBSITE ALL DAY L00KING FOR A NICE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS TATTOO... MY GRANNY PASSED DECEMBER 2 AND I TOLD HER BEFORE SHE PASSED THAT I WAS GONNA GET ONE... =]] I MISS HER S00 MICH.. RIP MAWMAW.. I LVOE YOU AND MISS YOU..
you guys are fucken stupid to get tattoos
The very first picture showing of the breast cancer ribbon tattoo is actually mine on my right inner forearm :) My mothers bestfriend who was a second mum to me had cancer that soon left her with 4 tumors in her brain after chemo for her breasts that did eventually kill her. She passed away only weeks before her 52nd (as the dates shown in the pic) and every day i look at my tattoo and remember how amazing she was and how strong my mum and i were thru that time. Ladies take care of yourselves. Its never too late.
the 2nd to last is BEAUTIFUL!
my aunt got diagnosed and i want something to help her through it=]
i've had two breast surgerys and now i woul like a tatoo but now they want to do another surgery on my let a total mastectomy i'm scared what do i do is my doc a quack do i get a tatoo on my left to make me brave i don't know if i care any more.
I am a 9 yr survivor. I was diagnosed at the age of 39, have been looking to get a symbol of my journey, thanks to all of you for your ideas and god bleess you all'''
i had breast cancer and i cant wait until i get my tattoo on my wrist off the ribbon glad to see that im not the only one wanting a breast cancer tattoo
evemurphy says:
8 months ago
If I ever got a tatoo I think it would be something 'meaningful' like these...good to remind women about breast cancer because, as in most things, knowledge and awareness are power.