101 Best Cancer Tattoo Ideas You Have To See To Believe! +2023

Reviewed and Updated: October 19, 2022 by Jamie Wilson BA

Are you a proud cancer survivor? Ink your story with these inspirational tattoo designs to mark your survival against the disease.

Best Cancer Tattoo
@tattoobymarley about Instagram – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo

cancer tattoos symbolize the fighting spirit, hope and awareness.

Cancer is a disease that can change anyone’s life. It’s scary, but even more beautiful is how to find your way out of this disease and emerge victorious.

There are various reasons to get a skin tattoo, but for some people it is a sign of victory. Cancer is one of the diseases that has a great impact on both the sufferer and the families involved. It is not only a growth that spreads more and more in the body, but also constant suffering that leads to a drastic change in a person’s mentality and lifestyle. People who have cancer are constantly thinking that they are different from others. There are often people who sympathize with those affected, unaware that those affected do not need any sympathy or comfort. They eventually turn out to be fighters and lone fighters who have the courage to accept their reality. Tattoo colors from a cancer ribbon, a symbol for the survivors, not only marks their suffering but also shows their fearlessness in getting tattooed. Sporting a crab ribbon on her body is quite a bold move that underscores the fact that nothing can quench her inner fire. It is a tribute to the people suffering from such a deadly disease and to those who have successfully endured an unequal struggle. It recognizes the irrepressible message to overlook the pain and focus on the healing process. These tattoo inks are also a reminder of the whole agonizing journey full of hurdles and torments.

We are proud of you for fighting a deadly disease like cancer and not giving up your life. Here’s a list of designs to choose from to share your story with the world!

Leo Tattoo with a Cancer Ribbon

Leo Tattoo with a Cancer Ribbon
@tattoosteve.derma over Instagram – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo

This tattoo design is not only wonderful but also very meaningful in the life of a survivor. The twinkle in the lion’s eyes looks striking with the yellow tattoo ink. That gray band placed below represents a fight with brain tumor. Perhaps the lion is a symbol of the courage of its bearer, who bravely resisted the disheartening disease and emerged victorious.

Kidney Cancer Survivor Tattoo

Kidney Cancer Survivor Tattoo
@alyssa_pietruszka about Instagram – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo

The representation of the kidney with the green band shows a history of survival against kidney cancer. The tattoo artist creatively designed the kidney with brilliant details. Additionally, the tumors are detailed with colorful tattoo inks to turn a painful experience into an inspiring one. That can be wonderful scar coverage design, but you must consult your doctor before getting one. The ideal placement for this design is on your back to give the artist enough room to color in the details.

Bird Tattoo with a Breast Cancer Ribbon

Bird Tattoo with a Breast Cancer Ribbon
@breastcancerselica about Instagram – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo

The bird flies in the sky with a pink ribbon symbolizing breast cancer. Perhaps the bird conveys the message of freedom from the clutches of the deadly disease. The eye-catching pink bow contrasts with the monochromatic bird, which is drawn in black tattoo ink. The vivid detailing of the Bird makes the design look very appealing indeed. You can also ask your tattoo artist to draw the bird with bright tattoo colors to emphasize its beauty.

Cancer ribbon tied on a cross tattoo

Cancer ribbon tied on a cross tattoo
@electric_cepter over Instagram – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo

The purple ribbon entwined on a cross symbolizes faith in the wearer that has guided them through the entire cancer journey. The halo behind the cross further emphasizes the spiritual connotation of this tattoo. That crisp Patterns and bold black outlines add a nice touch of detail to the design. You can get this tattoo inked behind your ear as in the picture. You can also add the date that will indicate the end of your cancer treatment on this design.

Butterfly Skin Cancer Survivor Tattoo

Butterfly Skin Cancer Survivor Tattoo
@karenlazarovitz_brca about Instagram – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo

The elegant black butterflies have landed on the black ribbon! The shadow under the design creates a realistic appearance. The shading on the black band, symbolic of skin cancer, increases the realism of this tattoo art. This bold skin cancer tattoo can make a statement for every skin cancer survivor in the world. You can place this anywhere on your body like arm, shoulder or leg as per your preference. This can also be the best tattoo idea to raise awareness about the health risks associated with skin cancer or to support the survivors.

Flower Cancer Ribbon Tattoo

Flower Cancer Ribbon Tattoo
@lacasadelartemde about Instagram – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo

The ribbon in the center of the flower tattoo can be a way of paying tribute to the lives lost to cancer. The rose is detailed in a contrasting shade of red and yellow. The violet flower on the left is highlighted with strokes of white ink. The pink ribbon is beautifully shaded around the edges and outlined in black. You can inking this memorial tattoo to honor the life of a family member who has died from cancer.

Cancer Survivor Tattoo with Feather

Cancer Survivor Tattoo with Feather
@rachelantattoo over Instagram – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo

That sensitive Cancer ribbon inked on the solid color feather tattoo creates beautiful images. Note the tattooed word “Warrior” on the design! A bird’s feather carries the message of permanent deliverance from a long battle with disease. You can consider this design if this is your first tattoo experience. You can color this classic design anywhere on your body according to your personal preference.

Bow and Arrow Cancer Survivor Tattoo

Bow and Arrow Cancer Survivor Tattoo
@sadd_snacc over Instagram – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo

The delicate green ribbon is tied to the floral bow and arrow tattoo. Together it can symbolize a sense of direction in the wearer’s journey. The green band is associated with cancer in the liver or gallbladder. Bow and arrow are intricately detailed with floral pattern while the band is kept plain in the green tattoo ink. This design could be tattooed along the length of your hand as shown in the picture.

DNA Cancer Survivor Tattoo

DNA Cancer Survivor Tattoo
@tattoosbystevo over Instagram – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo

Here the ribbon is tied to the branches of the tree with bright blue leaves. The tree stands tall with its trunk designed in the shape of spiral DNA. Perhaps it is linked to health risks related to genes and heredity. The blue tattoo ink adds a touch of color to this design and enhances its symbolic meaning. You can also hire your tattoo artist to incorporate them date when you were finally explained cancer free by the doctor after your last treatment. This can also be converted into a scar cover design on your body.

Anchor Cancer Survivor Tattoo

Anchor Cancer Survivor Tattoo
@kidsmeal831 about Instagram – Do you love this design? Try a Washable tattoo

An anchor tattoo can have great meaning on your journey to fight cancer. It stands as a symbol of determination to fight the disease with utmost resilience. The design is kept simple with minimal details and clean lines. Notice the subtle bluish backgroundp behind the design that improves its looks! You can inking this tattoo art anywhere on your body or even as a scar cover.

Cancer patients are advised to wait until their treatment with their chemotherapy is complete. Tattoos can pose health risks to cancer patients due to their weakened immune systems. While there is no data that cancer survivors cannot get tattoos, it is known that the composition of the inks can promote allergic reactions, thereby increasing the risk of recurrence. Therefore, it is advisable to seek the doctor’s advice before tattooing, and the tattoo artists should practice utmost hygiene while tattooing. You can choose from the variety of cancer survivor tattoo design suggestions from the list given below.

  1. Butterfly Cancer Tattoo Tape Mastectomy Scar Cover Up Design in Red Ink.
  2. Realistic Cancer Zodiac Tattoo on back.
  3. Cancer Zodiac Tattoo with a Cancer ribbon.
  4. Cancer constellation tattoo with vivid details on the shoulder.
  5. Abstract cancer survivor ribbon inked on a realistic human heart tattoo.

Still looking for inspiration then check out this blog post about cancer tattoo ideas.

Featured image from Pinterest

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