October is brain tumour awareness month.
Many ABI survivors are brain tumour survivors. This month, BIST will help spread awareness about brain tumours by participating in a social media campaign organized by the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
What is a brain tumour
- Brain tumours occur when cells divide at an increased rate, creating an abnormal mass of tissue. They can be malignant (cancerous) or benign.
- Benign tumours are not necessarily less serious than malignant tumours. Prognosis and treatment depend on several factors, such as the size and location of the tumour.
How a brain tumour can lead to a brain injury
- As benign tumours grow, they can put increased pressure on the brain, compressing healthy tissue. While benign tumours do not spread to other parts of the body, a person can have more than one benign tumour.
- Because malignant tumours have the capacity to spread quickly to other parts of the body, malignant cells can ‘wear away’ at healthy brain cells, causing damage.
- Brain surgery to operate on tumours may also result in injury.
- Up to 60% of children diagnosed with a brain tumour will survive, though many of them will live with lifelong side effects.
- Because tumours are typically located in the “control centre” for emotion, thought and movement, damage to these parts of the brain can result in significant life changes.
How to spread awareness
Participate in the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada‘s social media awareness campaign here.
It’s as simple as sending out Facebook posts or Tweets such as the following:
- Did you know that feeling weak or morning nausea are signs of a brain tumour? Learn about other symptoms here: www.braintumour.ca/2495/signs-and-symptoms
If you want to take raising awareness to the next level, you can order an awareness or fundraising kit from the Brain Tumour Foundation here and spread the word by pounding the pavement and speaking to folks directly.
Sources: Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, Headway, National Cancer Institute
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