risk factors to know

Every year, around 5,900 new cases of brain cancer are diagnosed, according to the National Cancer Research Institute (Inca). If malignant brain tumors are overall the 16th most common cancer in France, they are the second in children (after leukemia).

Health professionals recognize that it is difficult to know why a tumor develops in the brain or not. However, certain risk factors could be identified.

Brain cancer: 3 risk factors identified

Certain environmental factors are blamed for increasing the risk of brain cancer:

• Irradiations: “ionizing radiation received at more or less low doses in the head or neck region (radiography, radiotherapy, etc.) slightly but significantly increases the risk of developing, several years later, a so-called radiation-induced brain tumor”explains the Cancer Research Foundation on its website.
• Certain chemical products: several studies have shown increased risks of brain tumors with different chemical substances used in industry and agriculture such as pesticides or certain products involved in the production of fuels and petroleum-derived products as well as in the manufacture of plastics and synthetic rubbers. “These substances pose a risk to people who are exposed to them in high doses and for a long period of time”specifies the National Cancer Institute.
• Immunosuppression: People with immune systems weakened by illnesses such as AIDS have a higher risk of developing brain lymphoma.

Unlike many cancers, hereditary forms of brain tumors are quite rare. They represent less than 5% of cases. “Just because someone has a brain tumor does not mean that other members of their family have an increased risk of developing the same type of tumor.”assures the National Cancer Institute.

Brain tumors: what about cell phone waves?

For years, cell phone use has been suspected of increasing the risk of brain cancer. However, a major study commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published last September is very reassuring.

She says that data collected over nearly 30 years ensures that there is no link between the waves of mobile devices and an increase in brain cancer. The researchers concluded that they use frequencies and energy levels low enough to not damage DNA.

“Regarding the main question, cell phones and brain cancers, we found no increased risk, even with exposure of more than 10 years as well as the maximum categories of call time or number of calls. 'calls'certified Mark Elwood, co-author of the study and honorary professor of cancer epidemiology at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, when presenting the findings.