Brain Cancer Awareness Month

Awareness precedes change!
 

Brain Cancer Awareness Month, celebrated in May, is essential to raise awareness of this disease, its impact on individuals and families, and the critical need for ongoing research and support. During this month, communities, organizations, and individuals join forces to promote brain cancer education and advocacy, raise funds for research and support, and show compassion and empathy for those affected by the disease. We can make a difference in the stand against brain cancer by working together to promote awareness, support research and treatment, and express solidarity with the people affected. 
 

Importance Of Brain Cancer Awareness Month 
 

The current strategy for providing care for people with brain tumors fails to succeed. New, effective medications for treating malignant brain tumors with considerable survival benefits have not been observed in decades. The need for innovative and novel approaches to treating brain tumor patients has never been greater. According to research, 1.4 million people worldwide suffer from malignant brain tumors, and the year-end will diagnose another 256,000. More research is needed to find new, effective treatments for brain tumor sufferers. Brain Cancer Awareness Month 2023 is an entirely committed campaign to address these efforts.
 

History Of Brain Tumor Awareness Month 
 

Deaths from brain cancer were common in the early days, when there was little to no knowledge of the disease, and were preceded by hallmark symptoms such as headaches, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Physicians at the time identified these symptoms as evidence of elevated brain pressure and devised procedures to alleviate them. This month was founded by a group of charities that later became the Brain Tumour Research Center's founding members. The American Association for Cancer Research, which attempts to bring together the brain cancer community and explain how everyone can get engaged and get insights about brain cancer, is one of the primary voices for raising awareness of brain cancer.
 

Brain Tumors And Their Types
 

A brain tumor is a collection of abnormal cells in the brain. Your skull, which protects your brain, is extremely rigid; any growth inside such a small region can pose issues. Brain tumors can be of two types: malignant (cancerous) or benign (not cancerous). The pressure inside your skull can rise when benign or malignant tumors grow. This can result in brain damage, which can be fatal.
 

Brain tumors are categorized as either primary or secondary,
 

• A primary brain tumor develops within your brain. Many primary brain tumors are harmless.
• A secondary brain tumor, or a metastatic brain tumor, happens when cancer cells spread to your brain from another body part, such as your lung or breast.
   

Primary (Benign) Brain Tumors
 

• Chordomas: They are slow-growing tumors that normally start around the base of your skull and the bottom of your spine. They are largely harmless.
• Craniopharyngiomas: The tumors that develop from a part of the pituitary gland. Because they are located near critical structures deep within your brain, they are difficult to remove.
• Gangliocytomas, gangliomas, and anaplastic gangliogliomas: Uncommon tumors that develop in neurons (nerve cells).
• Glomus jugular: These tumors are usually seen near the top of your jugular vein (neck vein), directly behind the base of your skull.
• Meningioma: The most frequent type of primary brain tumor. Meningiomas usually grow slowly. They develop in the meninges, the tissue layers that protect your brain and spinal cord. A meningioma might be cancerous in rare situations.
• Pineocytomas: These are slow-growing tumors in the pineal gland, which sits deep within your brain and secretes the hormone melatonin.
• Pituitary adenomas: These are tumors that develop in the pituitary gland, situated at the base of the brain. Your pituitary gland produces and regulates hormones in your body. Pituitary adenomas are typically slow growing and may produce excessive pituitary hormones.
• Schwannomas: They are benign brain tumors that are common in adults. Schwann cells in your peripheral nervous system or cranial nerves give rise to them. Schwann cells aid in the transmission of nerve impulses. The most prevalent type of schwannoma is acoustic neuroma. These tumors develop on the vestibular nerve (the nerve that attaches the inner ear to your brain).
   

Secondary (Malignant) Tumors
 

Gliomas account for approximately 78% of all malignant primary brain tumors. These tumors form in the glial cells that surround and support nerve cells. Gliomas are classified as follows:
 

• Astrocytoma: It is the most prevalent kind of glioma. They develop in astrocytes, which are star-shaped glial cells. They can form in any section of your brain but are most frequent in your cerebrum.
• Ependymomas: These are brain tumors that commonly develop near the ventricles. Ependymomas form from ependymal cells (radial glial cells).
• Glioblastoma (GBM): These tumors develop from glial cells known as astrocytes. GBMs are the most rapidly growing type of astrocytoma.
• Oligodendroglioma: These rare tumors start in cells that make myelin (a layer of insulation around nerves in the brain).
   

Summary 
 

“Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.”
 

Brain tumors can occur at any age and affect both children and adults. They are slightly more common in males than females. Finally, May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month, it provides an essential chance to increase awareness about brain cancer and its impact on individuals and families. It is time to encourage disease knowledge, advocacy, and funding for research and treatment. We can enhance the prognosis and quality of life for persons affected by brain cancer by better understanding the symptoms and risk factors and promoting early detection and treatment. It is important to continue supporting organizations working to find a way to cure brain cancer and demonstrate sympathy and empathy for people already facing the disease. Let us take advantage of this month to band together and make a difference in the fight against brain cancer.