Brain Tumors: Who's at Risk?
No
one knows the exact causes of brain tumors. Doctors can seldom explain why one
person develops a brain tumor and another does not. However, it is clear that brain tumors are not
contagious. No one can "catch" the
disease from another person.
Research has shown that
people with certain risk factors are
more likely than others to develop a brain tumor. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of
developing a disease.
The following risk factors are associated
with an increased chance of developing a primary brain tumor:
Being male—In general,
brain tumors are more common in males than females. However, meningiomas are more common in females.
Race—Brain tumors
occur more often among white people than among people of other races.
Age—Most brain tumors
are detected in people who are 70 years old or older. However,
brain tumors are the second most common cancer in
children. (Leukemia is the most common childhood
cancer.) Brain tumors are more common in children younger
than 8 years old than in older children.
Family history—People
with family members who have gliomas may be more likely to develop this
disease.
Being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals at work:
Radiation—Workers in
the nuclear industry have an increased risk of developing a brain tumor.
Formaldehyde—Pathologists and
embalmers who work with formaldehyde have an increased risk of developing brain
cancer. Scientists have not found an
increased risk of brain cancer among other types of workers exposed to
formaldehyde.
Vinyl chloride—Workers who make plastics may be exposed to vinyl
chloride. This chemical may increase
the risk of brain tumors.
Acrylonitrile—People who make textiles and plastics may be exposed to
acrylonitrile. This exposure may
increase the risk of brain cancer.
Scientists are
investigating whether cell phones may cause brain tumors. Studies
thus far have not found an increased
risk of brain tumors among people who use cell phones.
Scientists also continue
to study whether head injuries are a risk factor for brain tumors.
So far, these studies have not found an
increased risk among people who have had head injuries.
Most people who have known
risk factors do not get brain cancer.
On the other hand, many who do get the disease have none of these risk
factors. People who think they may be
at risk should discuss this concern with their doctor. The doctor may be able to suggest ways to
reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups.
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