Each May at Fxck Cancer, we pause to recognize Brain Cancer Awareness Month—a time to raise our voices for the tens of thousands of people affected by brain tumors every year, to push for progress in research, and to educate ourselves and our communities.
Why It Matters
Brain cancer is one of the most devastating cancer diagnoses, often progressing rapidly and impacting some of the most essential functions of daily life—speech, movement, memory, personality, and more. While rare compared to other cancers, its impact is profound.
Here are some facts that may surprise you:
• An estimated 24,000+ people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with brain or spinal cord tumors this year.
• Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among children under 14.
• Glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer, has a 5-year survival rate of under 7%.
• Brain cancer can affect anyone at any age—regardless of background or lifestyle.
Know the Symptoms
Because brain cancer can mimic other conditions or develop silently, knowing the early warning signs can be life-saving. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms persistently, it’s important to seek medical advice:
• Frequent or worsening headaches
• Blurred or double vision
• Nausea or vomiting, especially in the morning
• Unexplained seizures
• Memory loss or confusion
• Personality or behavior changes
• Difficulty speaking, understanding, or coordinating movements
Early Detection and Advocacy
There’s no guaranteed way to prevent brain cancer, but early detection can improve treatment options and outcomes. Paying attention to persistent neurological symptoms and advocating for thorough evaluation when something feels “off” is crucial.
We also need to support continued research and innovation. Funding for brain cancer lags behind many other cancer types, even though the need for breakthroughs is urgent. Supporting organizations dedicated to brain tumor research can help change that.
What You Can Do This May
• Wear gray—the color of brain cancer awareness—to show support.
• Share information on social media, in your workplace, or among friends and family.
• Donate to research organizations or foundations that support patients and families.
• Honor the fighters, survivors, and those we’ve lost by learning more and speaking up.
Brain cancer is a harsh reality for too many families. But together, through awareness, compassion, and action, we can be part of the movement for earlier detection, better treatments, and one day—cures.
Together we fight. No one fights alone. Fuck Cancer.