Tattoos for Breast Cancer Sufferers and Survivors

Breast Cancer is the second most common form of cancer and kills around 500,000 men and women each year. Around one in eight people suffer from this disease worldwide so it is very likely that you or someone you know will be diagnosed. Although it is mainly seen as an illness that affects women; men in their sixties and seventies can also be affected by breast cancer. The best chance of survival is prevention or catching the cancer early. The earlier breast cancer is detected the higher the chance of survival.

Tattoos for Breast Cancer Sufferers

Body art renders strong opinions from those who are totally for it to those who are completely against it. But what if the tattoo is in honor of a cause such as breast cancer? Many times those who suffer from breast cancer will have the need to undergo chemotherapy or harsh radiation treatments. Although these procedures are done with the aim of shrinking tumors and killing cancerous cells they also have some unfortunate side effects such as hair loss.

Losing hair, eyebrows and eyelashes can cause a person to lose their self-confidence and can be a constant reminder of what they have faced or are currently facing. It is at this time that many breast cancer sufferers opt for permanent makeup tattoos in the form of eyebrows and eyelashes. Many also opt for tattoos on the breasts or a full body art design following surgery to camouflage disfiguration and the area where the nipple was before a mastectomy.

The Breast Cancer Ribbon

Aside from cosmetic tattoos for breast cancer sufferers, many breast cancer survivors also opt for the breast cancer ribbon tattoo. The pink ribbon is the international symbol for breast cancer awareness. This is one of the main tattoos that breast cancer survivors tend to get and can be anything from a simple pink ribbon to a more creative design. Many friends and family of people who have lost loved ones also tend to opt for a breast cancer ribbon tattoo with their loved one’s name and year of passing. These tattoos can be placed almost anywhere on the body and work to unite everyone who has a form of understanding of the saddening illness.

A variation of the traditional breast cancer pink ribbon is the butterfly tattoo. Although this does not have a specific meaning, many believe it means that the disease has either flown free (on the wings of the butterfly) or in the case of a loved one who has passed, they have flown away and been given freedom from the disease on their route to heaven. This is a beautiful idea for those who do not wish to have the traditional ribbon tattooed onto them.

Choosing a Breast Cancer Tattoo

People who have a breast cancer tattoo are making a valiant statement about the disease. You may want to ask people you know how they chose their breast cancer tattoo or you may want to browse the internet for ideas. Whilst some tattoo designers may opt for the traditional breast cancer ribbon there are a number of different creative designs that can be added to this. A quick internet search can help you to find some ideas.

More importantly, a breast cancer tattoo should have a meaning to you. With breast cancer awareness becoming more prevalent throughout the world, breast cancer tattoos are increasing in popularity. Take your time to choose the right design and the right location for it on your body. Don’t opt for a cheap procedure but rather wait until you have the cash to afford what you really want. What better way to remember a loved one, show your support for the thousands of people who fight this disease every year or mark the anniversary of being given the all clear?