This May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and support for those affected by brain cancer, represented by the gray ribbon. This year, the news is hopeful. New research is changing what we know about survival, early detection, and treatment. Here’s what you should know.
Facts About Brain Cancer
Incidence
An estimated 25,000 people in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with malignant brain or nervous system cancers this year, with men facing a higher risk of developing malignant brain tumors than women1.
Brain tumors can emerge in individuals of any age or ethnicity. However, they are more commonly diagnosed in adults over 40 than other age groups, and African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor than other ethnicities. It’s important to note that incidence varies significantly by tumor type1.
Survival
Survival rates for brain cancer vary widely depending on the specific type of tumor, of which there are around 100 different kinds. The relative five-year survival rate is 35 percent for patients with a malignant brain tumor. Approximately 0.6 percent of people will be diagnosed with brain or central nervous system cancer at some point in their lifetime1–3.
Brain Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors
Symptoms
Brain cancer can cause a variety of symptoms, but it's important to note that many of these signs are also common in less serious health conditions4,5. These can include:
- Headaches that are worse in the morning, with activity, or occur more frequently
- Nausea
- Vision problems
- Memory problems
- Extreme tiredness
- Seizures
- Dizziness
- Muscle weakness
Risk factors
The causes of most brain cancer cases are unknown. In rare instances, the disease may be linked to inherited genetic mutations passed down from a person’s parents. In addition to primary tumors, cancers can spread (metastasize) from other parts of the body to the brain4.
New Research on Brain Cancer and Survival
Numerous studies have emerged since 2024 that provide hope for improved survival for brain cancer patients. These studies cover areas such as improved diagnostics and treatments. Let's look at four recent studies that highlight advancements in early diagnosis and treatment approaches.
Ten Minute Tumor Profiling Enables Faster Diagnosis
Medulloblastoma is a type of brain tumor with several subtypes, each requiring different treatments and linked to varying survival outcomes. Identifying these subtypes takes 3-4 weeks with traditional tests, delaying care. By looking at tumor tissue metabolism, researchers developed a test that can determine the medulloblastoma subtype in just ten minutes. This dramatically increases diagnosis speed, which enables faster, more targeted treatment strategies6.
Why it matters: Rapid brain cancer diagnosis helps doctors begin the most appropriate treatment sooner, giving patients a better chance at improved outcomes.
Improved AI-based Tool Deepens Diagnostic Capabilities
Artificial intelligence is increasingly used to analyze brain cancer tissue and medical images to support disease diagnosis. However, current tools often struggle to accurately interpret images from different populations or imaging methods, limiting their effectiveness and broader application. Researchers developed a new AI tool called “CHIEF,” which was trained on 44 terabytes of pathology images and outperformed existing tools by approximately 36 percent. This study's new tool could improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care for many cancer types, including brain cancers7.
Why it matters: This study shows that advances in AI can improve image-based diagnosis of brain tumors like glioblastoma by more accurately detecting IDH gene status.
Improved Treatment Options for Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is an aggressive, hard-to-treat cancer that often returns quickly, even after surgery and standard treatments. These facts highlight the urgent need for new therapies that prevent recurrence. In a recent report, a patient received a single dose of neoadjuvant triplet immunotherapy before surgery and showed no signs of recurrence 17 months later. This outcome suggests the treatment could be a promising new strategy for managing this deadly disease.
Why it matters: Though based on a single case, the sustained, recurrence-free response to neoadjuvant triplet immunotherapy offers hope for a more effective glioblastoma treatment.
World First Blood Test for Brain Cancer
Diagnosing brain tumors can be risky and unpleasant for patients, and is often impossible due to the location of the tumor. Liquid biopsies, which use bodily fluids like blood and urine to assess diseases, offer a less invasive and risky alternative. Researchers recently developed the first blood test to diagnose brain cancer by capturing and analyzing specific types of brain cancer cells in blood. This opens the door to faster and less risky diagnosis for patients with brain tumors8.
Why it matters: This blood test offers a safer, less invasive way to diagnose brain cancer, potentially improving access to earlier and more accurate detection.
How Early Detection Is Changing the Future of Brain Cancer
Research is rapidly progressing in several areas to improve outcomes for brain cancer patients. Key efforts aim to make diagnosis faster, simpler, and more accurate. Technologies such as AI and liquid biopsies are helping achieve this by analyzing scans and detecting cancer from easily obtained samples like blood. Improved identification of tumor subtypes is also enabling more personalized and effective treatments, such as the neoadjuvant triplet immunotherapy discussed earlier. Together, these advances are contributing to earlier detection, more precise therapies, and improved survival and quality of life for patients.
Ezra’s full-body and organ-specific scans help detect cancer-related changes early, often before symptoms begin. In many cases, early detection means better options and better outcomes.
What You Can Do to Make a Difference
While not everyone can participate directly in research, everyone can contribute to Brain Cancer Awareness Month by getting involved in raising awareness, education, and supporting others in the community.
1. Ways to Get Involved
Consider volunteering to raise awareness for brain cancer by contacting local organizations in your area or participating in national campaigns to support brain cancer awareness. National organizations include:
Awareness events are a great way to participate and fundraise. The National Brain Tumor Society is a great resource for hosting or joining an awareness event such as the Southern California Brain Tumor Walk.
You can donate to either of the organizations listed above and to the Brain Research Foundation which funds innovative brain research to advance understanding and treatment of brain disorders.
There are also simple ways to show support such as wearing a gray ribbon, t-shirt, or bracelet.
2. Spreading Awareness
You can help to spread awareness about brain cancers by sharing educational content at school, work, or on social media. It’s important to use reliable sources of information, including the reputable organizations we’ve mentioned above or others like the American Cancer Society. You can order and download brain cancer brochures and PDFs from the American Brain Tumor Association.
If you're posting on social media, consider using and searching hashtags such as #BrainTumorStrong, #BrainTumorAwarenessMonth, #GrayMay, and #GoGray to connect with others and raise awareness.
3. Connecting to Community
The National Brain Tumor Society and American Brain Tumor Association both offer a variety of resources to help individuals find a support group nearby, including online directories, helplines, and recommendations for virtual and in-person groups tailored to patients, survivors, and caregivers. The American Cancer Society also offers a 24/7 helpline and a page to find support programs in your area.
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FAQ
Is brain cancer hereditary?
Some brain cancers are hereditary but the cause of many brain cancers is unknown. Read our dedicated article on this topic to learn more.
What is the survival rate for brain cancer?
Brain cancers are a large group of diseases each with different treatment options and survival rates. While survival rates will be specific to individual circumstances, including factors such as age, the average 5-year survival rate for brain cancer is around 35 percent1.
Can you have brain cancer for years without knowing?
Yes, it is possible to have an asymptomatic brain tumor for a long time without noticing. This is more likely with slow growing tumors10.
What does Go Gray in May mean?
Go Gray in May means wearing gray ribbons and clothes to support brain cancer awareness month. It’s a way to show solidarity with patients and help raise awareness and funding for brain cancer research.
