--- title: "Pink Ribbon Meaning: What the Breast Cancer Symbol Means" description: "What the pink ribbon means: the breast cancer awareness symbol explained, where it came from in 1992, why October is pink, and how to use it to help." url: https://breastcancer-charity.org/answers/what-does-the-pink-ribbon-mean/ robots: noindex --- # Pink Ribbon Meaning: What the Breast Cancer Symbol Means Awareness ## Quick answer The pink ribbon is the best-known symbol of breast cancer awareness. Wearing one shows support for people affected by breast cancer and reminds others to know their bodies and get changes checked. It was launched in 1992 by Evelyn Lauder of Estée Lauder and Alexandra Penney of Self magazine, and is worn most in October. By [Kaiser Khan](https://breastcancer-charity.org/author/kaiser-khan/), Breast Cancer Charity · Updated 22 October 2026 ## Quick facts Created 1992, by Evelyn H. Lauder with Self magazine editor Alexandra Penney Source: [The Estée Lauder Companies: the Breast Cancer Campaign](https://www.elcompanies.com/en/our-commitments/the-breast-cancer-campaign) Most worn In October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked worldwide Source: [WHO: Global Breast Cancer Initiative, Breast Cancer Awareness Month](https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2024/10/01/default-calendar/who-global-breast-cancer-initiative--breast-cancer-awareness-month) The message Know what is normal for your breasts and get any change checked Source: [NHS: how to check your breasts or chest](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/how-to-check-your-breasts-or-chest/) Emoji There is no pink ribbon emoji; people use the reminder ribbon 🎗️ Source: [Emojipedia: reminder ribbon](https://emojipedia.org/reminder-ribbon) ## Key takeaways - The pink ribbon stands for breast cancer awareness, support and remembrance. - It was launched in 1992 by Evelyn H. Lauder and Alexandra Penney. [(The Estée Lauder Companies: the Breast Cancer Campaign)](https://www.elcompanies.com/en/our-commitments/the-breast-cancer-campaign) - It is worn most in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. [(WHO: Global Breast Cancer Initiative, Breast Cancer Awareness Month)](https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2024/10/01/default-calendar/who-global-breast-cancer-initiative--breast-cancer-awareness-month) - It means most when it comes with action: checking your breasts, going for screening or giving. ## What does a pink ribbon stand for? A pink ribbon says three things: that you care about people affected by breast cancer, that you remember those who have died, and that finding breast cancer early matters. People wear it on clothes, add it to profile pictures, and see it on products sold to raise money. ## Where did the pink ribbon come from? The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign was founded in 1992 by Evelyn H. Lauder, with the launch of the pink ribbon, which she co-created with Alexandra Penney, then editor-in-chief of Self magazine. The ribbon spread quickly and is now used by breast cancer organisations around the world. For the fuller story, including how October became pink, read our pink ribbon history. Source: [The Estée Lauder Companies: the Breast Cancer Campaign](https://www.elcompanies.com/en/our-commitments/the-breast-cancer-campaign) ## Is there a pink ribbon emoji? Not exactly. Emoji sets include a reminder ribbon (🎗️), which most phones show in yellow or gold, and a pink heart (🩷). Many people use the two together, or a pink ribbon image, for breast cancer awareness posts. Source: [Emojipedia: reminder ribbon](https://emojipedia.org/reminder-ribbon) ## How can I use the pink ribbon to help? - Pair it with a reminder to check your breasts or chest regularly so you know what is normal for you, and to see a GP or doctor about any change. - Encourage friends and relatives to go for breast screening when invited. In England, women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday are invited every 3 years. - If you buy a pink product, check how much goes to charity first. - Give directly: every £25 can fund one complete screening for a woman who has never been examined. Sources: [NHS: how to check your breasts or chest](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/how-to-check-your-breasts-or-chest/); [NHS: who breast screening is for](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/breast-screening-mammogram/who-breast-screening-is-for/); [Breast Cancer Charity: how we estimate the cost of a screening](https://breastcancer-charity.org/method/screening/) ## Frequently asked questions Why is breast cancer awareness pink? Pink became the colour of breast cancer awareness through the pink ribbon, launched in 1992 by Evelyn H. Lauder and Self magazine editor Alexandra Penney. Pink clothing, lighting and ribbons now mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October. Source: [The Estée Lauder Companies: the Breast Cancer Campaign](https://www.elcompanies.com/en/our-commitments/the-breast-cancer-campaign) When should I wear a pink ribbon? Any time you want to show support, but most people wear one during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which runs from 1 to 31 October every year. Source: [WHO: Global Breast Cancer Initiative, Breast Cancer Awareness Month](https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2024/10/01/default-calendar/who-global-breast-cancer-initiative--breast-cancer-awareness-month) Where can I get a pink ribbon? Many breast cancer charities and some shops sell pink ribbons and pin badges. Before you buy, check which charity benefits and how much of the price it receives. Does wearing a pink ribbon actually help? It raises awareness and starts conversations, which is useful. It helps most alongside action, such as reminding someone to book their screening or donating to fund screening where none exists. ## Sources and references - [The Estée Lauder Companies: the Breast Cancer Campaign](https://www.elcompanies.com/en/our-commitments/the-breast-cancer-campaign) - [WHO: Global Breast Cancer Initiative, Breast Cancer Awareness Month](https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2024/10/01/default-calendar/who-global-breast-cancer-initiative--breast-cancer-awareness-month) - [NHS: how to check your breasts or chest](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/how-to-check-your-breasts-or-chest/) - [NHS: who breast screening is for](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/breast-screening-mammogram/who-breast-screening-is-for/) - [Emojipedia: reminder ribbon](https://emojipedia.org/reminder-ribbon) - [Breast Cancer Charity: how we estimate the cost of a screening](https://breastcancer-charity.org/method/screening/) This page is general information, not medical advice. A GP or doctor can advise on your own situation. Source links do not imply endorsement by the NHS or another organisation. See our [editorial policy](https://breastcancer-charity.org/editorial-policy/). ## Related reading - [The pink ribbon: its history and how to show support →](https://breastcancer-charity.org/blog/pink-ribbon/) - [When is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? →](https://breastcancer-charity.org/answers/when-is-breast-cancer-awareness-month/) - [Do pink ribbon products help charities? →](https://breastcancer-charity.org/answers/do-pink-ribbon-products-help-charities/) - [How to check your breasts →](https://breastcancer-charity.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-self-examination/) ## More awareness answers - [Q When is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/answers/when-is-breast-cancer-awareness-month/) - [Q Do pink ribbon products help breast cancer charities?](https://breastcancer-charity.org/answers/do-pink-ribbon-products-help-charities/) [All answers →](https://breastcancer-charity.org/answers/)