knowledge equals power

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month!!

 You could be like how I was a year and a half ago and have absolutely no idea what that is, so I want to spread the word. Brain Cancer has been slowly getting more and more attention, and like most secondary cancers, in my opinion deserves more attention than ever. 

 New York Brain Tumor Walk! Join my team :) 

Below are some facts about Brain Tumors:

• There are over 600,000 people in the US living with a primary brain tumor and over 28,000 of these cases are among children under the age of 20.

• Metastatic brain tumors (cancer that spreads from other parts of the body to the brain) occur at some point in 20 to 40% of persons with cancer and are the most common type of brain tumor.

• Over 7% of all reported primary brain tumors in the United States are among children under the age of 20.

• Each year approximately 210,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor. That's over 575 people a day:
• An estimated 62,930 of these cases are primary malignant and non-malignant tumors.
• The remaining cases are brain metastases (cancer that spreads from other parts of the body to the brain).

• Among children under age 20, brain tumors are:
• the most common form of solid tumor 
• the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, following leukemia
• the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females


• Among adults, brain tumors are:
• the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among males up to age 39
• the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women ages 20-39


• There are over 120 different types of brain tumors, making effective treatment very complicated.

• Because brain tumors are located at the control center for thought, emotion and movement, their effects on an individual's physical and cognitive abilities can be devastating.

• At present, brain tumors are treated by surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, used either individually or in combination.

• No two brain tumors are alike. Prognosis, or expected outcome, is dependent on several factors including the type of tumor, location, response to treatment, an individual's age, and overall health status.

• An estimated 35% of adults living with a primary malignant brain or CNS tumor will live five years or longer.

• Brain tumors in children are different from those in adults and are often treated differently. Although over 72% percent of children with brain tumors will survive, they are often left with long-term side effects.

• Symptoms of a brain tumor can include headaches (recent, new, or more severe than usual), seizures (in a person who does not have a history of seizures), cognitive or personality changes, eye weakness, nausea or vomiting, speech disturbances, or memory loss. While these are the most common symptoms of a brain tumor, they can also indicate other medical problems.

I'm not trying to be a debbie-downer here, but with knowledge always comes power. After reading this you know more about Brain Cancer than most, and that is always better than never knowing at all.

If you know someone who is battling a brain tumor, or your a caregiver, or your a survivor, I know exactly what your going through. If you need anyone to listen, cry with, laugh with, talk to, ...etc please don't hesitate to reach out to me. A friend in need is a friend indeed :)

love always,
kira noelle