Here at Macmillan, March has been a busy month. In the Cancer Information team, we’ve been kept on our toes by the fact that March is the awareness month for three types of cancer: brain tumours, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. So here we give a brief overview of these cancer types, as well as some tips on raising awareness.
Brain tumours
Brain tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign brain tumours remain in the part of the brain where they started. Malignant (cancerous) brain tumours have the ability to spread into the normal brain tissue around them.
Cancerous brain tumours can be primary or secondary. A primary brain tumour starts in the brain. A secondary brain tumour spreads to the brain from somewhere else in the body.
Causes and risk factors
The cause of most primary brain tumours is unknown, and research is ongoing. Factors such as mobile phones, power lines and certain viruses have been suggested as possible causes, but from the evidence to date, we can’t say for sure that any of these might increase the risk of developing a brain tumour. Sometimes, genetic conditions or previously radiotherapy treatment can increase the risk of a brain tumour developing.
We have more information on brain tumours in children and brain tumours in young adults.
Symptoms
Symptoms of brain tumours can include:
These occur because of the pressure the tumour is causing in the brain.
Living with a brain tumour
Being diagnosed with a brain tumour can have a huge emotional impact. There may also be physical changes to deal with, but most people can learn to adapt to these in time.
You may feel very tired for some time after treatment, but there are ways of coping with fatigue.
If your treatment has affected your ability to work, talk to your occupational health department or your manager. Most employers will make adjustments until you’re better. If you’re self-employed, there is still some financial support available and things you can do.
If you’ve had a brain tumour, it may be dangerous to drive. You should contact the DVLA to discuss your own situation.
We have a booklet, Understanding brain tumours, which you can order for free.
Ovarian cancer
Causes and risk factors
Ovarian cancer usually affects women who’ve reached their menopause. About 85% of women diagnosed are over the age of 50.
As well as age, having a strong family history of ovarian cancer may increase your risk. We have an online assessment tool that can help you to find out more about your possible genetic risk. Other risk factors may include obesity, hormone replacement therapy and infertility.
If you’re worried about a family history of ovarian cancer, you may find the leaflet Are you worried about ovarian cancer? helpful.
We also have a booklet, Understanding cancer of the ovary (also in audio), which has more detail.
Symptoms
Most women with early-stage ovarian cancer don’t have any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the main ones include:
There are others though – so check our page on symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Living with ovarian cancer
Most women can still have a fulfilling sex life after treatment for ovarian cancer. Sometimes, the effects of surgery can alter the shape of the vagina or bring on the menopause, but there are many ways of coping with sexual changes.
If your treatment stops you being able to have children (infertility), this can be extremely difficult to deal with. We have more information on cancer and fertility.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. It generally affects men over 50 and is rare in younger men.
It’s estimated that:
However, most of these cancers grow very slowly. So they’re unlikely to cause any problems, particularly in older men.
Causes and risk factor
Age is the strongest risk factor. Some ethnic groups are also at greater risk. For example, black and African Caribbean men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men. Asian men have a lower risk of developing it. Family history can also be a factor.
If you’re worried about a family history of prostate cancer, you may find the leaflet Are you worried about prostate cancer? helpful.
We also have booklets on the PSA test, having tests for prostate cancer, early (localised) prostate cancer, locally-advanced prostate cancer and advanced prostate cancer (also all in audio) if you need more information.
Symptoms
Men with early prostate cancer are unlikely to have any symptoms. When symptoms of prostate cancer occur, they’re similar to the signs of two benign and easily treatable conditions called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis.
Symptoms can include:
Living with prostate cancer
Treatment for prostate cancer can cause some difficult side effects, such as sexual changes, bladder and bowel changes, infertility and hormonal side effects. We have information on ways of coping with these effects. We also have general information on living with and after cancer, which may be helpful.
Getting involved
Just by reading more about these cancer types, you can help to spread awareness. Other ways you could get involved include:
