May Is Brain Cancer Awareness Month

Please join the AACR in supporting brain cancer research.

This year some 24,540 people in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with brain cancer and other nervous system cancers, according to federal statistics. These cancers made up a portion of the 85,000 brain tumors that were diagnosed in this country in 2021.

There are many types of brain and spinal cord tumors. The tumors are formed by the abnormal growth of cells and may be either benign or malignant. Benign brain and spinal cord tumors grow and press on nearby areas of the brain. They rarely spread into other tissues and may recur.

Malignant brain and spinal cord tumors are likely to grow quickly and spread into other brain tissue.

When a tumor grows into or presses on an area of the brain, it may stop that part of the brain from working the way it should. Both benign and malignant brain tumors produce signs and symptoms and need treatment.

Tumors that start in the brain are called primary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors may spread to other parts of the brain or to the spine, but rarely spread to other parts of the body. Often, tumors found in the brain have started somewhere else in the body and spread to one or more parts of the brain. These are called metastatic brain tumors.

Metastatic brain tumors are more common than primary brain tumors. About half of metastatic brain tumors are from lung cancer.

If you or someone you love is struggling with Cancer, visit https://www.cchwyo.org/~/services/cancer-treatment/ for more information.

Author: Linda Garvin of BeatCancer.org