Help improve outcomes for brain cancer patients
It is estimated that 1,917 cases of brain cancer were diagnosed in Australia in 2022.
Cure Cancer has funded 14 brain cancer researchers so far, but more research is desperately needed. Supporting early-career researchers with innovative ideas gives us the best possible chance of finding a cure.
Every dollar you donate can make a real difference to our mission. Together, we can cure cancer.
“The Cure Cancer grant gives us the opportunity to pursue this extremely novel line of research, comparing glial cells from the gut and brain to hopefully find targets to treat brain cancer.”
— Dr Marlene Hao, a Cure Cancer grant recipient
How your donation helps
$75
Can help fund an hour of research
$125
Can help fund microscopy imaging to look for immune cells in tumours
$550
Can help fund lab supplies for up to ten vital experiments
$1,000
Can help provide cutting-edge software to analyse cells
Frequently Asked Questions
What is brain cancer?
Brain cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the brain develop and grow rapidly to form malignant tumours that can invade other areas of the central nervous system.
While increasing age is a risk factor for brain cancer, which typically peaks in the 80-84 age group, it can affect people of all ages, including children.
It is estimated that in 2021, 1,896 new cases of brain cancer (1,113 people assigned male at birth and 767 people assigned female at birth) were diagnosed in Australia, making up 1.3% of new cases diagnosed in that year. Sadly, there were an estimated 1,528 deaths from brain cancer in 2021.
What are the types of brain cancer?
There are many types of brain cancer, which are grouped with spinal cord tumours and collectively known as central nervous system (CNS) tumours.
They can be categorised as:
Primary tumours
Primary brain tumours that develop in the brain and may spread to other parts of the brain and spinal cord, but very rarely to other parts of the body.
Secondary tumours
Secondary tumours that have spread or metastasized from other areas of the body.
What are the common symptoms of brain cancer?
Brain cancer can have various symptoms depending on the tumour’s location, size and how fast it is spreading.
Though they aren’t always an indicator of a brain tumour, it is not uncommon for headaches to be the first symptom, regardless of their frequency and severity, especially if they are accompanied by other neurological symptoms.
Some other common symptoms include the following:
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Nausea and vomiting
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Seizures, whether severe or mild
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Weakness on one side or a part of the body
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Loss of balance or coordination
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Changes in personality, behaviour or thinking
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Impaired vision, hearing, smell, taste, or sense of touch
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Difficulty speaking or remembering words
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Dizziness or loss of consciousness
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Drowsiness or fatigue
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Memory problems
Because these symptoms may overlap with other diseases, it is crucial to see a GP as soon as possible if you or your child are experiencing any of them. This is particularly important if you have a family history of brain cancer.
How is brain cancer diagnosed?
Unfortunately, there is currently no population-wide screening program in Australia. However, there are a number of tests that can be used to diagnose brain cancer, which include:
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A neurological examination that checks your reflexes, strength, balance and coordination, vision, hearing, and ability to feel sensation, among other tests.
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Imaging tests such as a CT, MRI or PET
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Surgical biopsy of brain tissue or a lumbar puncture of the fluids around your spinal cord
What is the prognosis for brain cancer?
In the last 30 years, the five-year relative survival for brain cancer has seen a dismal increase from 20% to 22%. Despite its high mortality rates and devastating effects on affected individuals, it is one of the most underfunded cancer types and receives less than 5% of federal government cancer research funding.
Together, we can cure cancer.
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