What causes brain tumors? 4 healthy habits to support brain health

Brain tumors may sound intimidating, but learning what causes brain tumors—and how to lower your risk—can help you feel more empowered about your health. While some risk factors, like age or family history, are out of our control, there are everyday choices you can make that may support brain and overall health.

Let’s break down what we know about the possible causes of brain tumors and share simple, healthy habits that may help reduce your risk.

What causes brain tumors?

Brain tumors can develop due to a variety of factors, though the exact cause often remains unclear. They occur when cells in the brain begin to grow uncontrollably, forming a mass or lump.

Whether malignant or benign, a brain tumor can affect your memory, thoughts and sensations, as well as your brain’s ability to coordinate bodily functions, such as movement and speech.

There are two types of brain tumors:

• Primary brain tumors: cancer starts in the brain
• Metastatic brain tumors: cancer begins somewhere else and spreads to the brain

Unlike other cancers that have a pretty strong correlation to certain health or lifestyle factors (for example, lung cancer and history of smoking), for brain cancer, there’s only one definitive risk factor that’s been identified—history of radiation exposure.

Brain tumor growth can also be triggered by certain genetic syndromes or happen as a result of cancer spreading from another region of the body, as in the case of metastatic brain tumors.

We do see more instances of brain tumors in people of older age and Northern European ethnicity, but there aren’t any other known risk factors.

Brain tumor symptoms

Curious what brain tumor symptoms look like? Recognizing the signs of a brain tumor can be challenging, as symptoms often mimic those of less serious conditions. The most common brain tumor symptoms include:

• Intense headaches (some describe it as the worst headache of their life)
• Seizures without prior history
• Difficulty finding words
• Sudden and profound personality changes
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Balance issues

If these symptoms appear suddenly or worsen without a clear cause, talk to your doctor.

The role of genetics in brain tumors

Genetics do play a role in the development of some brain tumors. Certain genetic syndromes that are passed down within families increase your risk of brain cancer. Usually with those syndromes, there is a 50% chance of passing it down.

These genetic syndromes are usually identified during childhood because there is a known family history, so if you have these genetic factors, you likely already know.

For people living with a genetic syndrome known to cause brain tumors, lifetime screening is typically recommended to monitor for tumor growth.

How to lower your risk of brain tumor

Since there aren’t any known risk factors for brain tumors other than radiation exposure, there aren’t any specific steps you can take to lower your risk. However, living a healthy lifestyle overall can boost your well-being and help prevent other types of cancer that may spread to the brain.

And should you develop any type of cancer, the healthier you are before you start treatment, the better you’ll do.

Here are the most important lifestyle changes to consider today.

1. Avoid smoking

Smoking greatly increases your risk of lung cancer, which is one cancer that likes to spread to the brain, causing metastatic brain tumors.

2. Limit alcohol consumption

Alcohol is a known carcinogen that has been tied to increased risk of several cancers, including mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast and colon and rectum. Limiting alcohol consumption can reduce inflammation and help prevent these types of cancers from developing and spreading to the brain.

3. Eat a balanced diet

We haven’t identified a particular diet type that is more prone to brain tumors. But eating a healthy diet can help lower your risk of cancer overall by supporting your immune system, reducing inflammation and making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.

Focus on eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and lean proteins. Limit processed meats, added sugars and ultra-processed foods.

4. Stay active

Staying physically active can help prevent cancer by lowering levels of inflammation and improving immune function. Regular exercise also helps maintain a healthy weight, which is important since excess body fat is linked to a higher risk of several cancers, including breast and colorectal.

Even moderate activity like brisk walking for 30 minutes a day can make a meaningful difference in reducing your risk. Find an exercise you enjoy and can make a consistent part of your routine.

Taking care of your brain health

While some brain tumor risk factors are beyond our control, making healthy choices each day can go a long way in supporting both brain and overall health. Especially as we age, our lifestyle choices matter. It’s also important to pay attention to any changes in your health and to seek care if you have any concerns.

Questions about your brain health? Talk to your primary care physician or find a doctor near you.