Over one million Americans are living with a brain tumor diagnosis — and for many, that diagnosis came too late.
May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month, and behind the gray ribbons is a tough reality: tumors affecting the brain and central nervous system remain one of the most difficult cancers to detect early — and among the deadliest.
Approximately 90,000 people will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor this year. Glioblastoma, the most aggressive type, accounts for nearly half of all malignant cases. The median rate of survival after diagnosis is just 12–15 months.
These numbers are not meant to scare you. They're meant to start a conversation about the need for education, better access to advanced imaging, and proactive tools that can shift outcomes. Because when it comes to brain tumors, time matters.
Related: Prenuvo's AI study reveals link between vigorous physical activity and brain health
What exactly is a brain tumor?
A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within the brain. These masses are typically categorized as either benign (non-cancerous and slower-growing) or malignant (cancerous, aggressive, and potentially life-threatening).
Even benign tumors can be dangerous depending on their size and location, as they may compress critical areas of the brain that control vital functions. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, can infiltrate healthy brain tissue and often return even after treatment.
Types of brain tumors
There are several types of brain tumors, each differing in aggressiveness, location, and treatment options. Here, we discuss a few examples:
- Meningioma: Usually a benign tumor that develops on the brain's surface from the protective membranes, sometimes causing symptoms if the tumor presses on the surrounding brain tissue.
- Acoustic neuroma: Affects the nerves responsible for hearing and balance, potentially resulting in hearing loss or balance issues.
- Astrocytoma: Arises from supportive brain cells called astrocytes and can range from slow-growing tumors to more aggressive forms.
- Glioblastoma multiforme (commonly referred to as glioblastoma or GBM): An often fatal type of high-grade astrocytoma (grade IV), this most aggressive form of brain cancer is known for its rapid progression and difficulty to treat.
Symptoms: What to watch for
Brain tumors can be stealthy. Their symptoms often resemble those of more common, less serious conditions. But persistent or unexplained neurological changes should never be ignored.
Potential warning signs include:
- Chronic or worsening headaches, especially if they’re different from your usual pattern
- Seizures in someone with no prior history
- Vision changes, slurred speech, or difficulty understanding language
- Sudden shifts in personality, memory, or cognition
- Unexplained nausea, especially in the morning
The challenge? These symptoms are non-specific. That’s why many people with brain tumors are diagnosed late, after the disease has significantly progressed — often when options are more limited.
Risk factors
Many factors can be linked to brain tumor development. Sometimes, changes to determinants can be made possible through healthy lifestyle choices and proactive screening. Examples of potential risk factors may include:
- Age and Genetic Predisposition: Some brain tumors occur more frequently in certain age groups or within families due to genetic factors.
- Exposure to Radiation: Past exposure to high levels of radiation has been linked to an increased risk of developing brain tumors.
- Environmental Factors: Although less clearly defined, ongoing research is investigating other possible contributors.
Understanding Glioblastoma
Every year, more than 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with glioblastoma. It makes up 14.2% of all brain tumors and over half of all malignant ones.
Glioblastoma is notoriously aggressive. It infiltrates surrounding brain tissue, making surgical removal extremely difficult. Even with the best treatment, recurrence is common. The five-year relative survival rate is just 6.9% .
While the prognosis is difficult, research is pushing boundaries. Treatment often includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and clinical trials — but the real breakthroughs will come from detecting these tumors earlier.
Why early detection is so difficult — and so important
Glioblastomas grow rapidly and don’t always produce noticeable symptoms until they’ve already reached an advanced stage. And, because the brain is so adaptable, it can sometimes compensate for the presence of a tumor, delaying detection even further.
Conventional healthcare systems typically focus on reactive care: treating symptoms once they appear. But when it comes to brain tumors, waiting for symptoms can be the difference between timely intervention and missed opportunity.
Advanced imaging — particularly whole body MRI — is changing this. A Prenuvo Whole Body MRI scan provides a detailed look at the brain and surrounding structures without radiation or contrast agents. That means you can look for silent conditions, like glioblastoma, before they become a problem.
When should you consider imaging?
You don’t need to wait for a red flag to take a closer look. A whole body MRI is a powerful screening tool for anyone experiencing unexplained neurological symptoms — and even for those who aren’t.
It’s especially valuable for:
- Individuals over 50 (the age group most affected by GBM)
- People with a family history of brain tumors
- Those who have undergone prior radiation treatment to the head
- Anyone who simply wants clarity about their brain health
Unlike traditional MRIs that focus on one region at a time, Prenuvo’s whole body MRI evaluates the entire body — including the brain — in less than an hour. It captures over a billion data points and offers a clear picture of what’s going on inside, often before symptoms surface.
Where research meets hope
While the prognosis for GBM isn’t good, there is a lot of progress to be celebrated. The Glioblastoma Research Organization (GBRO), one of Prenuvo’s partners, has raised over $2.3 million since 2018 and fully funded 11 research projects to date. Their mission? Accelerate scientific breakthroughs and provide support for patients and families navigating the diagnosis.
Supporting organizations like GBRO is an investment in the future — a future where brain tumors are caught earlier, treated more effectively, and understood more deeply.
A smarter way to stay ahead
In collaboration with the Glioblastoma Research Organization, Prenuvo is not only advancing the science of early detection but also advocating for research and support that brings us closer to breakthroughs in brain tumor treatments.
Let this month be a reminder: brain tumors may be complex, but understanding them doesn’t have to be. Share this knowledge. Get screened if you’re concerned. Support ongoing research. And most importantly, know that early detection saves more than just lives—it saves time and options.
To learn more about the benefits of a whole body MRI for tracking brain health, book a call with a member of our team.
