“Brain tumor.” That term alone tends to strike fear in the heart of anyone who hears such a diagnosis from their physician. But not all brain tumors are cancerous; these are called noncancerous or benign brain tumors. They can still cause problems if they grow over time and press on the brain tissue.
There are many types of brain and spinal cord tumors, which result from the abnormal growth of cells. Malignant tumors are likely to grow quickly and spread into other brain tissue.
May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to get checked if you haven’t seen your primary care doctor lately.
Physicians were expected to diagnose more than 94,000 brain tumors (including benign tumors) during 2024, with cancers of the brain or central nervous system affecting more than 25,000 people in the United States. The National Cancer Institute estimated that nearly 19,000 people would die from these cancers.
Interfering with Normal Function
Unfortunately, when a tumor grows into or presses on an area of the brain, it may stop that part of the brain from functioning normally. Both benign and malignant brain tumors produce signs and symptoms and need treatment. These tumors can range in size from very small to very large.
There are a variety of symptoms that can indicate a brain tumor, such as headaches or pressure in the head that feels worse in the morning, or headaches that occur frequently and seem more severe. Among other symptoms are nausea or vomiting, eye problems—such as blurry vision or seeing double—losing feeling or movement in an arm or leg, speech problems, or trouble with balance. If things don’t “seem right,” you should get a checkup immediately.
Talk with Your Doctor
Go get checked. Talk with your primary care provider about cancer screenings. Also, if you have a loved one or friend who is suffering from cancer of the brain or central nervous system, consider organizing an event or fundraiser to help attack this dreaded disease.
You may also want to consider donating to our Good Samaritan Cancer Fund, which helps patients who are struggling to pay for their medication, transportation to appointments, hotel stays for long visits, and other costs.
