Every June 8, the world pauses to observe World Brain Tumour Day. A day that brings light to one of the most challenging medical conditions affecting the human brain.
More than just a calendar date, this day is a global call to action to raise awareness, honour those fighting the battle, and push for faster innovation in diagnosis and treatment.
The theme for 2025, “United for a Cure: Advancing Research, Empowering Lives,” reminds us that meaningful progress doesn’t happen in silos. It takes collaboration between scientists, doctors, technologists, and communities to move the needle.
Because when it comes to brain tumours, time isn’t just precious, it’s everything.
What are brain tumours (and why are they dangerous)?
A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells in or around the brain. These can be:
- Benign (non-cancerous) or
- Malignant (cancerous)
But both can be dangerous due to the sensitive, enclosed environment of the skull.
There are two main types:
- Primary tumours originate in the brain or surrounding structures (e.g. gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas).
- Secondary (metastatic) tumours spread to the brain from cancers elsewhere (lungs, breast, skin). They are more common and often more aggressive.
Cancerous or non-cancerous brain tumours are life-threatening, because:
- Limited space in the skull means even small tumours raise pressure.
- They can disrupt essential functions—speech, memory, motor skills, and more.
- Some trigger seizures or cause rapid deterioration.
- Surgical removal is often high-risk, especially in deep brain regions.
- Aggressive types like glioblastoma are notorious for recurrence after treatment.
Why early detection is critical
Early detection of brain tumours is not just helpful, it’s often life-saving.
Since the brain controls essential functions like speech, movement, and memory, a growing tumour can cause irreversible damage if not treated in time.
Here’s why acting early matters:
- Better survival chances: Early-stage tumours respond better to treatment.
- More options: Smaller tumours are easier to remove or manage with less invasive methods.
- Preserve brain function and avoid irreversible damage.
- Fewer emergencies: Routine imaging often finds tumours before severe symptoms strike.
- Less trauma, less cost: Early care is more manageable for families.
So why are brain tumours often diagnosed late?
- Symptoms are vague (e.g., headache, fatigue, mood changes)
- Tumours are often misdiagnosed initially
- Lack of public awareness
- Limited access to advanced imaging like MRI/CT scans in many regions
Latest innovations in the detection and diagnosis of brain tumours
Early and accurate diagnosis of brain tumours has always relied heavily on imaging and clinical expertise.
But thanks to AI, wearables, and digital tools, brain tumour detection is entering a more precise, faster, non-invasive and accessible era.
AI-powered imaging tools:
Qure.ai and Aidoc: These platforms utilise AI to analyse CT and MRI scans for rapid detection of abnormalities, including brain tumours.
AI-assisted Radiology: A study published in The Lancet Digital Health demonstrated that AI-assisted imaging analysis improved early-stage cancer detection by 28% across various cancer types.
Neurological monitoring apps:
NeuraMetrix: This app analyses typing patterns to detect subtle neurological changes that may indicate brain disorders or tumours.
Mindstrong and Neurotrack: These applications use cognitive assessments to monitor memory, attention, and reaction time, which can be early indicators of brain pathology.
Wearable brainwave devices:
iBrain and Neuroverse: Emerging startups developing portable EEG-based wearables that monitor brain activity in real-time, potentially detecting abnormal patterns associated with brain tumours.
Integrated digital platforms:
DeepGlioma: An AI-based diagnostic system that uses rapid, label-free optical imaging to classify diffuse gliomas, achieving high accuracy in molecular classification.
Why World Brain Tumour Day matters
World Brain Tumour Day isn’t just about raising flags. It’s about raising hope for patients, families, and future generations.
It’s a reminder that:
- Awareness saves lives
- Research drives progress
- Early detection changes outcomes
It also spotlights the need for investment, especially in under-resourced regions where late diagnosis is still the norm.
Parting words
Brain tumours may not be the most common cancer, but their impact is often devastating.
On this World Brain Tumour Day, let’s honour the fighters, thank the caregivers, and support the innovators leading the way.
Whether it’s recognising the early signs or supporting research into AI-driven detection, every step forward can save a life, or a lifetime of memories.
Every early diagnosis isn’t just a win—it’s a life, a family, and a future reclaimed.
-By Rohini Kundu and the AHT Team
