The brain is one of the body’s most remarkable organs.
More than 100,000 chemical reactions take place within the brain every single second. The average brain also has more than 400 miles of blood vessels. Additionally, information in the brain is said to move at more than 250 miles per hour — faster than any car you’ll ever see on any racetrack.
Clearly, a lot is going on within the average brain.
This means a lot can go wrong as well. And, while there may be seemingly clear signs and symptoms for certain types of cancer, there is no smoking gun when it comes to brain cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 24,000 Americans will be diagnosed with and 16,000 Americans will die from a form of brain cancer this year. In Nevada alone, this amounts to approximately 200 new cases and 150 deaths in 2016.
The best place to start with combatting these statistics and ultimately mitigating the progression of brain cancer is with us. We have to take care of our ourselves — and our brains — with the same level of immediacy as we would take care of a cut or broken bone.
But, before we can take action, we have to know what to keep on our radars and what healthy habits to practice.
Proactive habits for a healthy brain
There are wholesome habits that anyone can practice to stay proactive against brain cancer and other types of cancer. It’s worth noting, as with many medical conditions, that there is no 100 percent, bulletproof regimen when it comes to preventing cancer. However, we recommend a mix of habits that have been proven to help mitigate a cancer diagnosis as well as contribute to improved wellbeing.
At the very top of the prevention list are maintaining a healthy diet, getting plenty of sleep and checking in regularly with your general practitioner.
A healthy diet in the cancer-prevention realm encompasses lots of fish, lean meats, vegetables and antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants include blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, spinach, broccoli, oranges and apples. Additionally natural Omega-3 supplements, such as fish oil, can not only help boost your brain function and mitigate cognitive decline, but, in some studies, have shown to reduce the likelihood of cancer and slow existing tumor growth.
In terms of sleep, seven to eight hours of sleep daily is vital. Several studies in recent years have shown links between a lack of sleep and a number of different types of cancer. Additionally sleep deprivation can lead to a reduction in cognitive ability, a change in behavior, slowed blood flow and a reduced metabolism — all of which are not favorable attributes in staying ahead of cancer.
A regular check-up with your primary physician can go a long way for your brain’s health and, if applicable, detecting and defeating brain cancer. Simple blood and nervous tests can show fluctuations in certain hormone levels and a CT scan typically shows any tumors that may be present.
Staying proactive is half the battle. The other half is being willing to take action when certain signs and symptoms persist. However, even people with the healthiest of lifestyles may still get a cancer diagnosis.
The warning signs
The signs and symptoms of a brain tumor may be prevalent and increase in severity over time… or may hit someone suddenly in a matter of seconds. The cases seen at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada are really 50/50 — there are those that detected the warning signs and experienced an increased intensity in symptoms and those that were truly caught by surprise, with little to no glaring symptoms leading up to diagnosis.
For brain cancer, some of the long-term symptoms that may foreshadow a definitive diagnosis are persistent headaches, ongoing nausea, unexplained drowsiness, regular vomiting and/or a change in personality. Some of the symptoms that may progressively get worse as an undetected tumor grows include neurological abnormalities, changes in motor skills, worsened/blurred vision and balancing issues.
Seizures are one of the most common symptoms we see in our brain tumor cases. Many of our patients first learn of their respective tumor(s) after having a major seizure and being admitted to the hospital. These seizures may be preceded by mini-seizures, but often go undetected or mistaken for other symptoms.
As with many conditions and diseases, having any or a mix of the aforementioned symptoms does not necessarily equate to a cancer diagnosis. However, if these signs persist, see your physician.
Meet Susan
A native of Buffalo, N.Y, 35 year-old Susan Hilburger worked 11 years as a computer engineer for PepsiCo in New York City. After leaving NYC, she moved to Las Vegas to work as a technical project manager for a large casino company.
Hilburger always maintained a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and exercise. Her project manager position was stressful at times, but she accepted the stress as part of her job.
On Super Bowl Sunday 2011, Hilburger had a grand mal seizure. Her parents were visiting from out of town and immediately called 911. The paramedics arrived and transported Hilburger to the emergency room. The doctors did a CAT scan and found a brain tumor on the left parietal side of her brain.
The medical diagnosis was unsettling to Hilburger because her sister, mother of three young children and her grandfather passed away from a glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumor. Hilburger was ready to face the challenge ahead because she knew the severity of the disease and the medical treatment that would be required.
At the emergency room, an ER doctor referred Hilburger to a highly regarded neurosurgeon, Dr. Kelly Schmidt. Two days later, Dr. Schmidt performed a craniotomy and removed a tumor on the left side of her brain. Her tumor was approximately seven centimeters in diameter. She stayed in the hospital for five days after the surgery was performed and then began a rehabilitation program that lasted about two weeks.
Shortly thereafter, she joined us at CCCN for chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Pathology reports from MD Anderson and UCLA Medical Center indicated Hilburger had a grade-4 glioblastoma tumor. Glioblastoma tumors most often spread quickly and are the most invasive type of brain tumor. Due to the severity of a GBM-4, doctors needed to act immediately to keep the tumor from spreading.
Hilburger immediately started a chemotherapy plan, which consisted of Temodar and radiation treatments that lasted approximately six weeks. Temodar is used for combatting glioblastoma and is often paired with radiotherapy for optimal results. After radiation, Hilburger continued to use Temodar for approximately two years.
In May 2013, Hilburger’s treatments ended with her cancer in remission. Hilburger is extremely grateful for the excellent care she received from her neurosurgeon, oncologist, radiologist and staff at CCCN.
In the fall of 2014, she married Juan Carlos. On September 13, 2015, Hilburger delivered a beautiful and healthy baby girl named Gianna. Hilburger lovingly calls Gianna her “miracle baby” after enduring years of chemotherapy treatments. Delivering a child was one more way she beat the odds against cancer.
Hilburger goes to CCCN for a periodic brain scan and follow-up appointment every three to six months and is helping the community by teaching healing yoga and holistic nutrition.
Hilburger taught yoga in New York City and currently teaches yoga in the Las Vegas area. She receives great enjoyment and satisfaction by helping others, specifically cancer survivors. After her tumor diagnosis, she decided to focus her attention on yoga and nutrition. She received her certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as a health coach and is a registered yoga instructor. She teaches at various yoga studios, gyms and corporations around the Las Vegas area. This includes The Caring Place, which provides no-cost services to support, empower and educate cancer survivors and their loved ones. She inspires other cancer survivors throughout our community through the healing power of yoga.
The scope of her inspiration does not stop with those who are battling cancer and have survived. She is an inspiration to everyone who knows her.
Dr. Anthony Nguyen joined Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada in 2007. He currently serves on the editorial advisory board for multiple journals including Oncology & Biotech News, Onc Live and Contemporary Oncology. He has served as a co-investigator in multiple clinical trials and has authored/co-authored peer reviewed articles and abstracts.
Dr. Matthew Schwartz joined CCCN as a radiation oncologist in July 2006 and currently serves as a member of the Radiation Executive Committee of The US Oncology Network and the Clinical Pathways Committee. Dr. Schwartz serves as the chairman of the marketing committee of CCCN and is the chairman of the board of managers of the Las Vegas Cyberknife.