• Question: how do people get brain tumours?

    Asked by lizziemegran to Damien, Rachael, Simon, Suzi, Tim on 16 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by reenie10, lilsimmo, alexboulton1.
    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Hi @lizziemegran
      Thanks for the question.
      A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells in some part of the brain, they can form pretty much anywhere, and will have different effects depending on which part of the brain they develop in.

      Not much is known about why some people get them. There is a theory that likelihood to get a brain tumour may be inherited from your parents via your genes, but not in all cases. Also, exposure to radiation is known to increase your risk of getting a brain tumour.

      Have a look here on the Cancer Research website:

      http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/brain-tumour/about/brain-tumour-risks-and-causes

      Hope this helps 🙂

Comments