Brain cancer is a serious and scary disease that affects many people around the world. Even though scientists have learned a lot, they still don’t fully understand why brain cancer happens. But they have found several things that can raise a person’s chances of getting it.
One major cause is radiation. There is a type of radiation called ionizing radiation. It has very high energy and can damage the DNA inside our cells. This damage can make cells turn into cancer.
People who had radiation therapy to treat other cancers—especially in the head—have a higher chance of getting brain tumors later. One study in The Lancet Oncology showed that children treated with radiation for leukemia had a greater risk of brain cancer when they grew up. This shows how powerful and risky radiation can be.
Another reason some people get brain cancer is because of their genes. We inherit genes from our parents, and sometimes those genes can make us more likely to get cancer. Some rare genetic conditions, like Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis, and tuberous sclerosis, raise the risk.
For example, Li-Fraumeni syndrome affects a gene called TP53, which normally helps stop cancer from growing. When this gene doesn’t work properly, cancer cells can form more easily. People with these genetic problems have a higher chance of brain cancer than others.
There’s also a possible link between brain cancer and harmful chemicals. Some studies suggest that people who work with things like pesticides, paint thinners, or factory chemicals may face a slightly higher risk.
A study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that people exposed to a lot of pesticides at work had a small increase in their chances of getting brain tumors. But this research is still ongoing, and we don’t have clear proof yet.
Viruses and infections might also be involved. Some viruses can sneak their genetic material into our DNA, which can lead to changes that cause cancer. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mono (also called “the kissing disease”), has been linked to a certain type of brain cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical and throat cancers, is also being studied for its possible connection to brain cancer. Scientists are still working to understand how viruses might lead to cancer in the brain.
The way we live—like what we eat and how active we are—might also play a role. Some studies suggest that eating a lot of processed meat and not enough fruits or vegetables might raise the risk of brain cancer.
On the other hand, regular exercise and a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables might help protect the body. These healthy foods contain antioxidants, which help keep our cells safe from damage. Still, scientists need to learn more about how lifestyle affects brain cancer.
It’s also important to remember that sometimes brain cancer happens for no clear reason. Many people who get it don’t have any of these risk factors. That’s what makes it so hard to study and treat.
In short, scientists believe that many things—radiation, genes, chemicals, viruses, and lifestyle—may raise the risk of brain cancer. But we still have a lot to learn. The good news is that research is ongoing. As we learn more, we can hopefully find better ways to prevent and treat this disease.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that a low-carb diet could increase overall cancer risk, and vitamin D supplements could strongly reduce cancer death.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about how drinking milk affects the risks of heart disease and cancer and results showing higher intake of dairy foods linked to higher prostate cancer risk.
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