Cancers of the brain and nervous system are rare but very serious as they have a poor prognosis. The majority of brain cancer cases cannot be explained by any specific underlying medical or genetic conditions, environmental factors or behaviors. A few risk factors, however, are known to have an association with an increased probability of developing brain cancer.
Race
MayoClinic.com explains that white individuals are more likely to develop brain tumors than people of other races. One exception includes a rare type of brain tumor known as meningioma, which occurs more frequently in blacks.
Age
Brain cancer can occur at any age. Older individuals, however, are more likely to have brain tumors than younger people, states MayoClinic.com. Cancers typically develop over time as mutations in the DNA of normal cells accumulate. Consequently, older individuals have likely accumulated such mutations and therefore prove more likely to have brain cancer. Certain specific types of brain tumors such as medulloblastomas, however, occur only in children.
Genetics and Family History
Most individuals with brain tumors do not usually have family members with a prior incidence of brain cancer. Certain brain cancers and brain cancer-related syndromes, however, do have a strong family history and genetic component. The American Cancer Society lists a number of genetic conditions associated with types of brain tumors, including neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, and Von Hippel-Lindau disease. These conditions are highly heritable and passed on through generations to form the basis for certain brain cancers and other neurological symptoms.
Radiaiton
According to the American Cancer Society, exposure to ionizing radiation remains the largest environmental risk factor for developing brain tumors. Ionizing radiation is the type of radiation used in the treatment of certain other cancers. Patients who received radiation treatments as children for leukemia present the highest risk for developing brain cancer in response to radiation exposure. Brain tumors typically develop in these patients 10 to 15 years after radiation treatment. While radiation treatments for cancer come with a slight risk for developing secondary cancers, the benefits of radiation treatment far outweigh any potential risks. No scientific evidence currently exists that states that exposure to other sources of radiation such as electromagnetic radiation from cell phone towers or power lines can cause brain cancer. The National Cancer Institute explains that medical use of x-rays carries minimal risk for developing brain cancer.
Chemical Exposure
Exposure to certain industrial chemicals can also increase brain cancer risk. According to the American Cancer Society, such chemicals include vinyl chloride, a chemical used in plastics manufacturing. Exposure to petroleum products through crude oil refining also has an association with increased brain cancer risk.
