Brain tumors are the second most common cancer after skin cancers. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to prevent brain tumors, there are a number of things you can do to drastically reduce your risk. Here we will provide you with a primer on brain tumor prevention, including information on the types of tumors and some of the risk factors associated with brain tumors. Finally, we will offer some tips on how to reduce your risk further by keeping your head healthy.
What is a Brain Tumor?
A brain tumor is a lump or mass in the brain. Brain tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous. Benign brain tumors are the most common type and usually do not require medical brain tumor treatment. Cancerous brain tumors may require surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other treatments to control the cancer.
Brain Tumors & its Types
There are a few main types of brain tumors:
Gliomas: originate from cells in the glial (support) layer of the brain;
Metastases: originate from cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body
Oligodendrogliomas: are the most common type of brain tumor, which can develop anywhere in the CNS. They are typically found in the white matter and cortex, the outer layer of the brain.
Gliomas account for about 60% of all brain tumors, while oligodendrogliomas make up about 30%. Metastases are relatively rare (about 1% of all brain tumors), and typically occur when a glioma or oligodendroglioma has spread to another part of the body.
Risk Factors of Brain Tumor
The following factors may increase your risk of developing a brain tumor:
• Having a family history of cancer or brain tumors
• Being over the age of 40
• Having a poor diet high in processed foods and sugar
• Smoking
• Having a high exposure to ionizing radiation, such as from medical procedures or everyday life
There is no known cause for any individual brain tumor, but some risk factors are more common in certain types of brain tumors.
How to Reduce the Risk of Developing a Brain Tumor?
There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of developing a brain tumor. Some of these include:
• Being aware of your risk factors for developing a brain tumor. Your risk factors include being female, having a family history of cancer, being older than 50 years, having genetic abnormalities that increase your risk for tumor development, and having head and neck cancer.
• Make sure you get regular checkups for any signs of health problems in your head and neck area. If you have any questions about whether you have a health problem in these areas, ask your doctor.
• Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals or radiation. These exposures increase your risk of developing cancer, especially brain cancer. Some examples of harmful chemicals include tobacco smoke, benzene, asbestos, ionizing radiation from x-rays and nuclear accidents.
• Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as fiber from whole grains. Fiber helps to regulate bowel movements and may help reduce the number of times you develop polyps (small growths on the wall of the intestine), which can lead to colon cancer.
•Regular exercising has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other chronic conditions, including cancer.
• Avoiding alcohol and tobacco use. These substances are known to increase your risk of developing cancer.
Conclusion
One can help put themselves in the best possible position by learning about the risk factors for developing brain tumors and how to reduce your risk. These primers can reduce your risk of developing a brain tumor, including information on diet, exercise, smoking cessation and brain tumor treatment. We hope that our tips will help you take steps to protect your health and well-being.
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