risk factors of brain tumor

Although doctors are not sure what causes genetic mutations that can lead to primary brain tumors, we identified the factors that may increase the risk of a brain tumor. Risk factors include:

Your race. Brain tumors occur more frequently among whites than they do in other races. An exception is meningioma, which occurs more frequently among blacks.

Your age. The risk of a brain tumor increases with age. Brain tumors are more common in older adults. However, brain tumors can occur at any age. And certain types of brain tumors, including medulloblastomas, occur almost exclusively in children.

Exposure to radiation. People who were exposed to the type of radiation called ionizing radiation have an increased risk of brain tumors. Examples of ionizing radiation is radiation therapy used to treat cancer and exposure to radiation caused by atomic bombs. Most common forms of radiation, such as electromagnetic fields, power lines and radio-frequency radiation, cell phones and microwave ovens, has been shown to be associated with brain tumors.

Exposure to chemicals at work. People working in certain industries may have an increased risk of brain tumors, probably because of the chemicals they are exposed on the job.

Family history of brain tumors. A small percentage of brain tumors occur in people with a family history of brain tumors or a family history of genetic syndromes that increase the risk of brain tumors.