Brain Tumour Awareness Month

March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month - it's aim is to raise public awareness about brain tumours, and highlight the need for early detection whilst providing information on support services for patients and their families.

A brain tumour is a growth of cells in the brain that multiplies in an abnormal, uncontrollable way. They are graded according to how fast they grow and how likely they are to grow back after treatment.

There are 2 main types of brain tumours: Benign and Malignant.

Benign means they grow slowly and are less likely to return after treatment, whilst Malignant either starts in the brain (primary tumours) or spreads into the brain from elsewhere (secondary tumours) and they are more likely to grow back after treatment.

Symptoms of a brain tumour can vary, but common symptoms are:

• changes in personality or behaviour

• problems with thinking, reasoning or memory

• headaches

• seizures (fits)

These symptoms can be caused by a brain tumour. But they can be caused by other conditions too. It is important to get them checked by your GP straight away.

If diagnosed with a brain tumour, treatment may include steroids, medicines to help with symptoms, surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.