Brain Cancer Prevention

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     BRAIN CANCER

Introduction

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 18,400 new cases of cancer of the brain or central nervous system in 2004.

Little is known about what causes a brain tumor. In those without known risk factors such as a predisposing family history, the only known causes of brain tumors are prior exposure to therapeutic ionizing radiation and long term depression of the immune system increasing the risk for cerebral lymphomas, as in people with organ transplants or those with AIDS.

Because scientists do not know what causes brain tumors, they cannot recommend how to prevent them. Most researchers believe that both genes and environmental exposures contribute to the cause of brain tumors. The genetic changes found in brain tumors are being catalogued and researchers are seeking the causes of those changes. Genetic changes can be inherited, or caused by environmental and lifestyle factors.

Factors under investigation

Anything that increases a person’s chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor or being exposed to one doesn’t mean that you will develop a brain tumor.

Genetics

Genes are tiny bundles of operating instructions for the body. They are composed of even smaller pieces called chromosomes. Most of the almost 100,000 genes in our bodies do their jobs properly. Some may become inactive or work abnormally. These may be missing a part of themselves, be over- or under-active, carry duplicate parts or they just don’t work as they should. This may cause anything from very trivial to very serious consequences, for example, you may be missing the nail on your little toe or you may develop a disease.

Several genetic abnormalities have been identified in brain tumors. For example, half of all meningiomas carry an unusual chromosome 22; glioblastoma multiforme often has abnormal chromosomes 10 and 17q; an alteration in chromosome 19 is associated with oligodendrogliomas. What causes these abnormalities is not known. Since only a small number of brain tumors, about 5%, are due to inherited genetic alterations, scientists are leaning toward possible environmental influences, and these are being actively investigated by the National Cancer Institute and others.

The Environment

In 1994, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) began a comprehensive study on the causes of brain tumors. The study is evaluating a wide range of factors, including:

· Occupational exposures, such as solvents, pesticides and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from electrical machinery;

· Family history of cancer;

· Dietary factors, including processed meats, artificial sweeteners, and vitamin and mineral supplements;

· Medical history, such as head trauma and radiation exposures;

· Reproductive history and hormone use; and

· Use of hair dyes.

Included in the study are about 800 people with brain tumors and an equal number of controls (people without brain tumors). All were admitted to one of the three cooperating medical institutions. Data collection began in 1994 and was completed in 1998.

Cell Phones

The first portion of the NCI study to be published, released December 2000, addressed cell phone use and brain tumor risk. No increased risk was found. However, the study is based on exposures from cell phones that occurred between the mid-1980s through 1994. Since then, the use of cell phones has increased dramatically and digital phones, which emit higher frequency radiation, have become more common.

Another study, being sponsored by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in collaboration with the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), will research whether radio frequency emissions from wireless phones pose any health risk. That research will be conducted over the next three to five years.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is also studying the health effects of cell phones. Their study is being coordinated in over ten countries in Europe, and is expected to be completed by 2004.

In their review of prior studies, neither NCI nor WHO found an overall increased risk for brain tumors associated with exposure to cell phones. However, gaps in knowledge have been identified and that has justified the research studies currently underway.

Dietary Factors

An international study examined the relationship between vitamin use during pregnancy and the risk of childhood brain tumors. That study, published in 1998, found that mothers who took multi-vitamin supplements during their entire pregnancy were half as likely to have their child develop a brain tumor before age 5.

Earlier studies looked into the relationship between pediatric brain tumors and mothers who ate cured meats, such as hot dogs or bacon, during their pregnancy. Those studies suggested that the use of vitamins C and E or iron supplements decreased the risks associated with sodium nitrite in those meats.

Recommendations

Until more is known, the best way to lessen your risk for developing a brain tumor is to avoid exposure to occupational chemicals, particularly if you are pregnant. Avoid exposing your children to those same chemicals. If you are pregnant, taking multi-vitamin supplements containing C, E, A and folate may be protective. Be cautious with your diet and any diet supplements you use. If you are a frequent cell phone user, use a headset or a mobile phone with an antenna located outside your car to limit your exposure. Better yet, try using your phone less and keep your calls short.

The five year survival rate for cancers of the brain have increased "significantly" since 1974. According to the American Cancer Society, the five year survival rate has increased from 22% to 32%.

SOURCE:

American Brain Tumor Association
Reviewed for ABTA by: Melissa Bondy, PhD, Epidemiology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Reviewed by Katie Mullaly, RN, MSN and Jane Quigley, RN, BSN, cancerpage.com

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