World Brain Tumor Day is being observed every year on June 8 every year since 2000. Ten out of a million people worldwide die of brain tumors every day. This day was first observed by the German Brain Tumor Association. It is a non-profit organization that spreads education and public awareness about brain tumors.
The prevalence and spread of brain tumors are increasing in India. According to cancer studies, brain tumors are more commonly found in girls. However, there may be some variation between the conditions. The Government of India has launched the ‘National Cancer Control Program’ with a number of objectives for the prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis, and care of brain tumors.
‘Brain cancer’ i.e. ‘brain tumor’ is a dangerous disease. If it is not treated properly in time, it proves to be fatal. Unnecessary growth of cells in the human body which are not needed is known as cancer. The growth of abnormal cells that grow in any part of the brain manifest as a brain tumor.
Not every tumor is cancer
Tumors are usually associated with cancer, but not every tumor is cancer. But if not treated at the right time, it can be fatal. Brain tumors can occur at any age. Our brain is made up of cells. Whenever for some reason the control of the cells of the brain starts deteriorating, these cells start to disappear. After this, the work of the brain starts getting interrupted. On the other hand, when uncontrolled cells in the brain spread rapidly, they take the form of cancer.
If there is an unexpected change in the shape of the brain, constant headache or vision problems, vomiting, a lump near the ear, heard hearing or a constant whistling sound, the symptoms should not be taken lightly. Take it. All these symptoms point to brain tumors and in such cases, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately. Physicians believe that patients with these symptoms should have an MRI or CT scan at an early stage to prevent the tumor from becoming cancerous. According to them, drug and alcohol consumption is also a cause of brain tumors.
Brain tumor is a dangerous disease. It not only affects the brain but also affects the whole body because the brain controls the whole body. Neurosurgery experts point out that people above the age of 50 are more likely to have cancerous tumors. Cancer-free tumors grow slower than cancerous tumors. 10-15 people in a million have brain tumors.
Risk factors for brain tumors
Most of the time we don’t know what causes a person to develop a brain tumor. Scientists have studied many possible risk factors for brain tumors. Exposure to ionizing radiation increases the risk of developing brain tumors. Ionizing radiation is often found in X-rays, which is why the human body is protected by a lead shield when some X-rays are done. In some cases, these may be “genetic”. However, only 5 to 10 percent of brain tumors pass from one generation to another family (heredity).
In cases of hereditary brain tumors, there is a change in the DNA sequence that is passed from parent to child via a specific gene. Most genetic risk factors are not present at birth but actually develop as we age. Most of our genes do their job as expected, a small defect can alter the way cells grow, which can eventually lead to the development of cancer
Brain tumor symptoms
It is a disease, but its symptoms are often overlooked. It is therefore important to have a thorough knowledge of its symptoms. If symptoms appear, you should see a doctor immediately and get treatment. The most common symptom is a sharp headache when you wake up in the morning. Blurred vision and increased number of spectacles are some of the symptoms. Patients with brain tumors mostly have eye problems. Fatigue is also a symptom. In this, people suddenly start staggering while walking.
A person with a brain tumor has a poor memory, sudden muscle cramps, a sore throat and difficulty in speaking and repeating something. All these could be the symptoms of brain tumor. Eventually, the mind begins to lose control over the body and the body does not feel any kind of sensation.
Treatment of brain tumors
Timely treatment of brain tumors is very important. The slightest negligence in this can lead to huge losses. It is treated in different ways. Tumors are treated depending on the size and condition. In brain tumor surgery, the whole tumor or part of it is removed from the brain. There are also risks such as infections and bleeding during surgery. If the tumor is in a place where the risk is high then other treatment measures are resorted to.
Surgery has been made easier and better through microendoscopic spine surgery. This surgery uses an endoscope, which makes it possible to reach places during the surgery where it is difficult to reach with the old methods of surgery. What is special about it is that its side effects are also less. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to treat brain tumors. Chemotherapy drugs are given in tablet form or by intravenous injection. This can lead to problems like nausea, vomiting, or hair loss.
Cancer cells are removed by radiosurgery using multiple beams of radiation. This surgery is done in one sitting. High energy beams such as X-rays or protons are used to destroy tumor cells in radiation therapy to treat brain tumors. The Target Drug Therapy method of treating brain tumors focuses on specific abnormalities present in cancer cells. Cancer cells are eliminated by blocking these abnormalities.
Negligence can be fatal
Often people ignore the symptoms of brain tumors as a common disease or tension. They never pay attention to the fact that what they consider to be a normal headache can be fatal for them. It is very important to make people aware of brain tumors, their symptoms, and treatment. So that people do not take this deadly disease lightly and avoid it. That is why World Brain Tumor Day is celebrated all over the world so that you do not neglect this deadly disease.
– The writer can be reached at satywansaurabh333@gmail.com
