Light For The Mind

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The Data

Donations

The Data page provides key statistics and research related to brain cancer, including prevalence, survival rates, and ongoing advancements in treatment. Our goal is to make complex information easier to understand and help raise awareness through facts.

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Donations

Donations help Light for the Mind expand its impact, supporting brain cancer patients and families through hosting events, raising awareness, and providing educational outreach.

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Events

Donations

Events

Light for the Mind hosts community events designed to raise awareness about brain cancer and bring people together in support of patients and families. Our events create space for education, connection, and hope while helping spread understanding and compassion.

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Shining Light On The Data

What percentage of brain cancer patients survive vs. do not survive?

As stated by The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, the overall five-year survival rate for brain tumor patients is approximately 36% — a number that climbs significantly to around 70% for patients under the age of 40. Lamentably, the remaining 64% of brain tumor patients do not survive past the five-year mark.

What is the percentage of brain cancer in the U.S. and Texas?

Brain cancer is one of the most devastating diagnoses a person can receive. Unlike many other cancers, it strikes at the very organ that defines who we are—affecting our memory, personality, movement, and the ability to live independently. It does not discriminate based on age, race, gender, or background, and in 2026, the numbers tell a sobering story.

According to the National Brain Tumor Society, more than 1.3 million Americans are currently living with a primary brain tumor. Fortunately, more than 108,810 people in the United States are estimated to receive a primary brain tumor diagnosis—that’s roughly one person every five minutes. Of those diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, the five-year relative survival rate is only 34.8%---meaning fewer than 1 in every 3 patients will be alive five years after diagnosis. Unfortunately, an estimated 18,350 Americans will die from this disastrous tumor.

The Truth Upon Texas:

According to Texas Oncology, approximately 18,330 Texans are currently living with brain cancer, and tragically, 1,370 are expected to die from the disease this year alone. That is nearly four lives lost every single day — neighbors, parents, teachers, and children across Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and every corner of the Lone Star State.

Root causes and treatments?

According to Moffitt Cancer Center, brain cancer can “arise from the spread of other types of cancer,” but generally occurs from genetic mutations in healthy brain cells. And while genetics may appear to play a role, most cases occur sporadically with no clear link to heredity.

Known risk factors include exposure to excessive ionizing radiation from radiation therapy, as well as certain environmental exposures — particularly chemicals found in pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

According to Mayo Clinic, treatment for brain cancer depends on whether the tumor is malignant or benign. Common options that patients may pursue include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, radiosurgery, and targeted therapy — though radiation therapy carries additional risk due to its exposure to ionizing radiation.

Is there a cure for this cancer?

Through each grade of brain cancer, Grade 1 tumors grow slowly and are generally more treatable and curable, while Grade 4 tumors grow rapidly and are typically incurable, according to UCHealth.

What organizations are conducting R&D on brain cancer?

The National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) is the largest nonprofit in the United States organized to help patients overcome brain cancer, while the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) is the oldest nonprofit in the country dedicated to brain tumor support and critical research funding.

Sources:

National Brain Tumor Society. Brain Tumor Facts & Statistics 2026. braintumor.org

American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2026. cancer.org

Texas Oncology. Brain Cancer Fact Sheet. texasoncology.com

Moffitt Cancer Center. Brain Cancer Overview. moffitt.org

Mayo Clinic. Brain Tumor Treatment. mayoclinic.org

The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center. Survival Statistics. tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu

American Brain Tumor Association. About ABTA. abta.org

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