Around 380 people are diagnosed with primary brain tumours each year in Ireland and according to new figures released in the UK, the number of people diagnosed with brain tumours has risen by 30% in the last 20 years.
Knowing the symptoms which may indicate a problem are therefore more important than ever.
According to cancer.ie, a brain tumour is a mass - lump - formed by an abnormal growth of cells, and can cause problems if they press on the brain or grow into the brain tissue.
READ MORE: The sign on your ankles that could indicate heart disease
Not all brain tumours are cancerous (malignant) - Grades 1 and 2 are benign (not cancerous), although they can come back and become malignant.
Symptoms will depend on which area of the brain is affected by the tumour because different areas of the brain control different human functions.
In light of the stark rise in UK figures, Dr Catherine McBain, a consultant clinical oncologist at The Christie in Manchester, has outlined seven possible signs which may be linked to having a brain tumour.
1. Seizures
If you have a fit or a seizure out of the blue, you should go to A&E, where an urgent brain scan would be considered.
2. Weakness of the face/arm/leg on one side of the body
Such weakness may come on suddenly, like a stroke, or may become more noticeable gradually over a few weeks, for example dragging your leg or tripping over kerbs because you don’t seem to be able to lift your foot up properly.
3. Marked speech disturbance
Slurred speech, being unable to find your words or coming out with the wrong words. Struggling to find a word sometimes is normal; but it would become worrying if it was becoming steadily worse over a period of weeks or months, and was associated with other symptoms.
4. Personality change
People who have a brain tumour may become steadily more withdrawn or confused over a period of a few months, or struggle with tasks they used to be able to do, such as playing an instrument or doing internet banking.
5. Vision changes
Sometimes, tumours in the brain reduce our ability to see objects to one side. This might cause people to bump into doorframes, not be able to see someone sitting on the left or right side, or clip the wing mirrors of parked cars if driving. If you’re concerned about vision changes, begin by seeing an optician, who can perform a full eye test and refer you to hospital if necessary.
6. Difficulty reading or interpreting words
You may notice that over a few weeks, you’re increasingly struggling to write emails or send texts, or to work out what subtitles or words in a book say – you may be able to see the words clearly, but the brain refuses to interpret them or make sense of them.
7. Headaches
Headaches are the symptom most people associate with brain tumours, but it’s actually relatively unusual for headaches to be the only symptom of a brain tumour.
When it comes to being concerned about brain tumours, doctors talk about ‘headache plus’, meaning headache plus other symptoms.
Worrying headaches are those which have become ‘clearly, definitely and progressively worse’ over a period of two to three months, and which become associated with some of the other symptoms.
If headache is the only symptom, it’s usually a headache which is different to any headache you’ve ever had before, and which becomes much more severe very quickly, over a period of a few weeks. It may be present in the morning, waking you from sleep, or become associated with nausea, vomiting and drowsiness.
For further information on the Better Safe Than Tumour campaign, visit thebraintumourcharity.org.
READ NEXT:
Five-star Irish hotel introduces bargain deal for two nights including afternoon tea for under €300
Gardai show locations of checkpoints and speed vans in warning to motorists
Gardai believe man was lured to house before he was brutally beaten with hatchet
Irish residents say Donald Trump is always welcome as former US President set for visit
Businesswoman and RTE host Aine Kerr says Ireland needs to be in 'state of readiness' for recession
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
