Gray May: Brain Tumor Awareness Month

Gray May: Brain Tumor Awareness Month

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month, or “Gray May.” I wanted to write a post to spread awareness, relay facts about brain tumors, and share about a local event this weekend in Atlanta for the brain tumor community. Brain tumors are a type of non-traumatic brain injury and symptoms vary widely depending on the size, type, and location of the tumor in the brain. In addition to primary medical treatments like neurosurgery or radiation, rehabilitation specialists such as physical, occupational, or speech therapists may be recommended as part of the patient’s plan of care. As a speech language pathologist, I work with adults with brain tumors who have resulting challenges with cognition (memory, attention, problem solving, etc.), speaking, swallowing, voice, or expressive/receptive language. 

Here are 10 facts about brain tumors:

  1. Brain tumors are grouped into primary brain tumors and secondary brain tumors. A primary brain tumor starts in the brain but with a secondary brain tumor, cancer starts in another location then spreads (metastasizes) to the brain. 
  2. Over 1.3 million Americans are currently living with a primary brain tumor. 
  3. There are over 100 different types of primary brain tumors.
  4. Only a few treatments have ever been approved for the over 100 types of brain tumors, and none of these treatments extend life by more than two years. 
  5. In the U.S., brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children & adolescents under the age of 19. 
  6. Approximately 72% of brain tumors are benign & 28% are malignant.
  7. Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor and the five year survival rate is only 7%. 
  8. Meningioma is the most common non-malignant brain tumor and has a five year survival rate of 88%. 
  9. Incidence rates for primary brain tumors are higher for females (59%) versus males (41%). 
  10. Unlike other types of cancer, brain tumors are measured by “grades” instead of “stages.” Grades 1-4 indicate how aggressive the brain tumor is predicted to behave clinically. 

On Saturday May 10th, the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) is hosting a 5K Walk/Race at the Battery Atlanta to raise awareness and funds for the Georgia brain tumor community. If you’d like to participate in the walk/run, serve as a volunteer, or donate to this great cause, go here!


Sources: 

National Brain Tumor Society

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Bethany Emanuel,

M.Ed., CCC-SLP

I’m an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist passionate about providing care that is client-centered and empowering clients to meet their goals. I have been an SLP for over 11 years and have worked in a variety of settings such as skilled nursing, private practice, and most recently at a nationally-ranked rehabilitation hospital. I obtained my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech pathology from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). I see adolescents & adults with acquired brain injuries or diagnoses such as TBI/traumatic brain injury, concussion, stroke, or multiple sclerosis and also provide executive function coaching services to teens & adults with ADHD. My area of expertise is in cognitive communication disorders and I treat areas such as memory, attention, executive functioning, expressive and receptive language, swallowing, voice, and speech production.

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