World Brain Tumor Day: Let’s Spread brain tumor Awareness on June 8
Dr M.A.Aleem
Neurologist
Former Vice Principal
HoD and Professor of neurology
KAPV Govt. Medical college and MGM Govt Hospital
Trichy
World Brain Tumor Day is celebrated annually on 8th of June.
This day was set aside to be celebrated globally by an association of brain tumor that is based in Germany.
World Brain Tumor Day helps in raising awareness to the public and educating them on brain tumor, a type of cancer that is not common and most people do not know about it. It is also a day that helps the people who are suffering from brain tumor in facing their challenges.
In India, every year 40,000-50,000 persons are diagnosed with brain tumour. Of these 20 per cent are children. Until a year ago, the figure was only somewhere around 5 per cent.Research has shown that brain tumor is the most common type of cancer affecting childrentoday.
Brain Tumor Details
Brain tumor is a condition that occurs when the cells in the brain multiply in an abnormal way or a way that cannot be controlled. The tumor can be malignant meaning it is cancerous or it can be non-cancerous (benign).
The tumors are graded from grade 1 to 4 and this depends with their location, how fast the cells are multiplying and the spread to adjacent areas/organs.
The Causes of Brain Tumor
The exact cause of cancer is unknown, however, the factors that increase the risk of getting cancers include:
-Genetic predisposition
-Invasive where the cancer spreads to the brain from adjacent parts
-Receiving radiation to the head in children
Symptoms
The symptoms of brain cancer will vary from one person to another depending with the exact location of the tumor in the brain.
The common symptoms that may occur include:
-Seizures
-Persistent and severe headaches (migraines)
-Persistent nausea and vomiting
-Drowsiness
-Behavioral and mental alterations like changes in personality and memory problems
-Progressive weakness or paralysis of limbs located on one side of the body
-Speech problems
-Vision problems
Treatment of Brain Tumor
The main treatment of any type of cancer is surgery where the affected tissue is removed as much as possible.
In most cases, it is not possible to remove the entire tissue that is affected and therefore, the treatment is followed by:
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
Precaution of Brain Tumor
There is no precaution that can be taken in prevention of brain tumor. It is advisable to go for regular screenings because early detection and treatment will help in prevention of complications.
Purpose of World Brain Tumor Day
The association of brain tumor created this day to be celebrated so that it would draw attention to the public and this includes the businessmen, politicians, medical and research institutions in the importance of funding the research that is done on brain tumor and the collaboration of interdisciplinary. The aim of doing this is to come up with ways of treatment that are effective and affordable.
What can be Done on this Day?
Creating awareness on the type of cancer and this includes the causes, management and the treatment. Awareness will also be made on the signs and symptoms of brain tumor, its facts and advocacy issues that are vital to the brain tumor support groups will also be discussed.
The people who are suffering from brain tumor are encouraged to join support group to reduce the stress associated with the illness. The support group will help in sharing the challenges faced during treatment and provide hope for other people who are suffering from the condition.
Encourage the patients who are suffering from brain tumor to research on the condition and get to know how to cope with it.
Message on The World Brain Tumor Day
The main message is to create awareness of the condition by educating people on the sign and symptoms, facts about the condition, its management and treatment.
The day celebrates the brain tumor survivor patients who have undergone treatment and have been declared to be cancer free.
The patients who are battling brain tumor are encouraged to join support groups where they share on the challenges faced while undergoing treatment
The family members and community at large are encouraged to appreciate the patients who are battling tumor cancers and this will include supporting them financially and psychologically.
Conclusion
Brain tumor is a rare type of tumor and most people are not aware about it. World brain tumor day is set aside to show support for the people who are suffering from brain cancer and the brain cancer survivors.
