Brain Cancer

How Brain Cancers Develop

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Russell Worth solicitors have helped people who’ve developed an occupational cancer after working in hazardous working conditions or from working directly with carcinogenic substances. We understand that a cancer diagnosis can be devastating not only for you, but also for your family too. This is why our solicitors are here to help you with free and friendly advice, so that you understand your legal options in pursing a claim for compensation. Speak to one of our solicitors today, call 0800122 3130 or request a call back when’s convenient for you.

Brain cancer is a type of disease where cells grow to form a mass of cancer tissue, otherwise known as a tumour, which interferes with brain functions including muscle control, sensation, memory, and other regular body functions.

Brain tumours are graded based on their severity. Low grade (grade 1 or 2) tumours are called benign tumours and these are composed of mainly non-cancerous cells. On the other hand, high grade tumours (grade 3 or 4) are composed of cancer cells (malignant tumours) and these are the types of tumours we will be focusing on when we refer to brain cancer below.

Every year in the UK, there are around 5,000 new cases of malignant brain tumours (i). It is believed that the risk of developing brain cancer is increased by several factors such as a person’s age (the risk increases as you get older), gender (brain tumours are slightly more common in men than in women) and history of certain genetic (hereditary) conditions such as neurofibromatosis type 1 and type 2, or tuberous sclerosis. Now, there is also concern that those working in certain types of jobs are more at risk of developing the disease, too.

According to research, farmers have a higher risk of developing brain cancer compared with the general population (Blair et al. 1985). A meta-analysis of 33 studies, carried out between 1981 and 1996, showed a 30 per cent increased risk of brain cancer among farmers (Khuder et al. 1998). Some researchers believe the increased risk could be related to pesticide exposure (Viel et al. 1998), however farmers are routinely exposed to other factors too, such as dusts, animals, animal viruses, and petrochemical products. Studies focusing on pesticide applicators have found increased risks of brain cancer, indicating that pesticides could be the cause.

Making a claim for brain cancer

If you or your loved one has suffered with a brain tumour and you believe that this could be as a result of harmful exposure in their job, we may be able to help you make a claim for compensation. We understand that this will be an incredibly difficult time for you and your family – our clinical negligence solicitors have dealt with hundreds of cases of this nature and will act with the utmost compassion. If you would like to discuss your individual case, please call 0800 122 310 or contact us online here.