Penningtons Manches Cooper supports Brain Tumour Awareness Week

Posted: 24/10/2025

Brain Tumour Awareness Week will take place from Saturday 25 October 2025 until 1 November 2025. Now in its 17^th year, this globally recognised initiative, led by the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA), aims to raise awareness about the profound impact brain tumours have on individuals and their families. The week serves as a platform to highlight the challenges faced by patients, promote research, and encourage support for those affected.

The annual, week-long observance is a vital opportunity to educate the public about brain tumours, their early detection, treatment options, and the importance of ongoing research and support services.

Understanding brain tumours

There are more than 130 different types of brain tumours which are essentially a collection of abnormal cells in the brain. These can be:

·       primary tumours: originating in the tissues of the brain itself and often named after the type of cell from which they have developed;

·       secondary (metastatic) tumours: spreading from other parts of the body.

Some brain tumours are cancerous such as glioblastomas, ependymomas and oligodendrogliomas, but not all of them are. A brain tumour may also be non-malignant (not cancerous) such as meningiomas, craniopharyngioma and pituitary tumours, although they can still cause injury to the brain when they grow, by pressing on other parts of the brain and increasing the pressure within the skull. Whether cancerous or not, brain tumours can be life-threatening and life-limiting.

What are the symptoms of a brain tumour?

The symptoms can vary between individuals and also will differ dependent on the size, location and type of tumour, with some individuals experiencing fatigue, headaches, numbness and tingling in an arm or leg, seizures, memory loss, nausea and vomiting or changes in speech, vision or hearing. People with brain tumours may also have unexplained changes in personality. Brain tumour symptoms may start gradually or rapidly.

How are brain tumours diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically begins with a neurological examination, in which a doctor tests a person’s nerves and brain function. Following this, diagnostic imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI scan would be undertaken to 'see' the brain and help to identify where a tumour is and its size.

How are brain tumours treated?

Some low-grade tumours can grow slowly, which means they may not cause symptoms for a long time. Once diagnosed, dependent on their size at diagnosis, they are then often actively observed through repeated scanning under a 'watch and wait' protocol. Certain brain tumours require surgical removal (which is often first line treatment if it is deemed safe and appropriate) and the patient may find that the tumour does not come back after surgery. Other brain tumours may be very aggressive and invasive, requiring a variety of treatments and may come back over time. For cancerous tumours, treatment may also include medications, like steroids to decrease swelling. The patient may also be advised to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy which could be given together or alone.

Delays in diagnosing brain tumours 

“Brain tumours are often detected late because their symptoms are vague,” says Professor Petra Hamerlik, professor of neuro-oncology at the University of Manchester. “A headache or seizure might be the first sign … but when it is a brain tumour, the delay in diagnosis can cause huge anxiety for patients and affect their quality of life.” 

Recent surveys conducted by The Brain Tumour Charity and the NHS National Cancer Patient Experience Survey revealed concerning gaps in care. They reported their survey findings from the care of 825 adult patients who were diagnosed or treated for brain tumours throughout 2021 and 2022 and found:

• 78% of patients were diagnosed within three months of first seeking help;
• for 10% it took more than a year to be diagnosed;
• 42% had to visit their GP three or more times before being referred;
• 74% ended up in A&E while trying to get a diagnosis.

Negligent delays, misreporting or misdiagnosis, and treatment errors can lead to permanent additional harm. Where the negligence results in avoidable harm such as a worsened prognosis, the individual may be entitled to pursue legal action for compensation. 

How to get involved in this year's awareness campaign

To find out more ways to get involved with raising awareness for the particular challenges of a brain tumour diagnosis during Brain Tumour Awareness Week 2025, please access the International Brain Tumour Awareness Week Toolkit, which provides further news, information, educational materials and details of associated events.

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