Theme: Understanding Brain Tumor And The Psychology Behind It.

World Brain Tumor Day is observed on June 8 every year to raise awareness and educate people about brain tumors. Brain tumors happen when cells in or near the brain get changes in their DNA. A cell’s DNA holds the instructions that tell the cell what to do. The changes tell the cells to grow quickly and continue living when healthy cells would die as part of their natural life cycle. This makes a lot of extra cells in the brain. The cells can form a growth called a tumor. A brain tumor occurs when the cells inside the brain start growing at an abnormal speed which forms a mass of abnormal cells in the brain. The enclosed space inside the skull is limited, and when these abnormal cells start closing in the space, the symptoms are observed.

When brain tumors happen in children, they’re likely to be primary brain tumors. In adults, brain tumors are more likely to be cancer that started somewhere else and spread to the brain.

RISK FACTORS

• Age. Brain tumors can happen at any age, but they happen most often in older adults. Some brain tumors mostly affect adults.
• Anyone can get a brain tumor but some types of brain tumors are more common in people of certain races. For example, gliomas are more common in white people. Meningiomas are more common in Black people.
• People who have been exposed to a strong type of radiation have an increased risk of brain tumor. This strong radiation is called ionizing radiation. The radiation is strong enough to cause DNA changes in the body’s cells. The DNA changes can lead to tumors and cancers. Examples of ionizing radiation include radiation therapy used to treat cancer and radiation exposure caused by atomic bombs.
• Low-level radiation from everyday objects isn’t linked to brain tumors. Low levels of radiation include the energy that comes from cell phones and radio waves. There is no convincing evidence that using cell phones causes brain tumors. But more studies are happening to make sure.

• Inherited syndromes that increase the risk of brain tumor. Some DNA changes that increase the risk of brain tumor run in families. Examples include the DNA changes that cause neurofibromatosis 1 and 2, tuberous sclerosis, Lynch syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau disease, familial adenomatous polyposis, Cowden syndrome, and Gorlin syndrome.

HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD BRAIN TUMOR DAY

• Try and create as much awareness about brain tumors as possible among people around you. You can make good use of your social media handles.
• You can also conduct an interactive seminar in your locality/neighborhood, talking about causes, symptoms, the need for early diagnosis, and intervention.
• Host a fundraiser. This is one of the most popular and effective ways to observe World Brain Tumor Day. Fundraising events help collect monetary contributions for needy patients. You can think of doing a music show, bake sale, or a famous game show or anything that gathers people in large numbers and helps raise money for the patients.
• Become a volunteer for NGOs that work towards the cause of brain tumors and their prevention. Contribute a part of your time, money, and effort towards this noble cause.

FACTS ABOUT BRAIN TUMORS

• Symptoms of brain tumors are not obvious. Usually, headaches and nausea are the symptoms of brain tumors.
• 29% cases of brain tumors are malignant.
• It can occur at any age. Brain tumors can occur at any age, but it is mostly seen in young children and older adults.
• The brain tumor is the eighth most common cancer among persons over the age of 40+.
• Survival rates depend on a variety of factors, which include age, ethnicity, and even the time taken to diagnose it.

WHY WORLD BRAIN TUMOR DAY IS IMPORTANT

• The brain tumor is an increasing health hazard, and people remain unknown about its symptoms and even the treatment. World Brain Tumor Day promulgates information to the masses
• On World Tumor Day, the community comes together to support people fighting a brain tumor in any way they can. It creates a positive and supportive environment for patients.
• People volunteer and hold various events on World Brain Tumor Day which includes various fundraisers. This becomes the perfect day to help patients in any way possible. What is a Brain Tumor?

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