Brain Tumour Awareness Week; around 50 Northlanders diagnosed each year

An image of a golf ball-sized brain tumour behind the left eye. Photo / supplied

Brain Tumour Awareness Week fundraising activities were curtailed by Covid restrictions, but it hasn't stopped Brain Tumour Support NZ shining a light on a cancer that kills the most young people in New Zealand.

An estimated 1100-1200 New Zealanders are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour each year with the latest statistics from 2018 recording around 50 of these from Northland.

These comprise both malignant (cancerous) – 342 nationwide, 15 under Northland DHB - and non-malignant (benign) primary brain tumours – approximately 800 nationwide and 35 in Northland.

In addition, another 1100-1200 metastatic (secondary) brain tumours are diagnosed with approximately 50 in Northland. These are tumours which have spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body.

This equates to a total of between 2200-2400 brain tumours diagnosed a year in New Zealand with around 100 in Northland.

Brain tumours are a relatively rare cancer, representing less than 1.4 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in New Zealand, but they are one of the most deadly. Despite aggressive treatment, the average survival for the most common form of primary brain cancer is just 15 months, a statistic that has barely changed in over 30 years.

Although more commonly diagnosed in people over 65 years old, brain tumours can strike at any age and are responsible for the most years of life lost than any cancer. They are also the biggest cancer killer of New Zealand children, responsible for 38 per cent of childhood cancer deaths (leukaemia is the next biggest at 25 per cent).

The 2021 International Brain Tumour Awareness Week is a global event that seeks to address the awareness gap by shining a light on brain tumours. Although a repeat of last year's high tea at the Kensington Bowling Club wasn't possible this year in Whangārei, a number of events have gone ahead around the country during the week to raise awareness and fundraise for local brain tumour charities.

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Brain cancer research is chronically under-funded in New Zealand. By increasing awareness of brain tumours, Brain Tumour Support NZ hopes to attract more funding into research, leading to more effective treatments and better supportive care for patients and families.

About brain tumours

# Every year around 342 New Zealanders are diagnosed with primary brain cancer, representing 1.3 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in New Zealand.
# Around 250 New Zealanders die each year from brain cancer, making it the 10th most fatal cancer.
# Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of young people under the age of 40.
# Brain cancer causes the most deaths of any cancer in New Zealand children aged 14 and under.
# Having brain cancer is like having three diseases rolled into one. First, it is a cancer, requiring aggressive treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Second, it is a degenerative, neurological condition affecting cognitive function, behaviour and personality. Third, it causes physical deficits such as balance, mobility, vision and hearing issues.
# Brain tumours affect the very essence of who we are – our thoughts, our emotions, our behaviour, our personality.
# Brain cancer survival rates are among the lowest of all cancers and have barely changed in the last 30 years. The most recent drug used to treat brain cancer in New Zealand was approved 16 years ago.
# The needs of brain tumour patients differ from those of other cancer patients. Caregiver burden is among the highest of all cancers and includes: high levels of stress; poor physical and emotional health; career sacrifices; financial losses; workplace discrimination and social isolation.
# Brain tumours can affect anyone, of any ethnicity, and at any age. There is no effective screening or prevention.