Tan Hui Leng

WELL-KNOWN neurosurgeon Keith Goh has seen an increase in the number of cases of malignant brain tumours and this is worrying him - especially as more and more are young adults, even children.

Read More...
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/270759.asp

--------

More young people at risk of getting brain cancer

BY: CALVIN YANG

OUT of 13 brain-cancer patients seen by Dr Keith Goh in the last four months, seven were below 45.

The trend, according to the consultant neurosurgeon, is increasing at an alarming rate. He is also seeing younger Singaporeans with brain tumours, including a six-month-old child.

Better known for his part in the separation of Nepalese conjoined twins Ganga and Jamuna Shrestha, Dr Goh told my paper: "The trend is unmistakable. It was not like this 10 years ago."

In the past, the median age for patients diagnosed with brain cancer was between 50 and 60 years old. However, signs are showing that it has shifted to the early 40s.

Dr Goh, who is also a paediatric neurosurgeon, added: "It seems that there is something in the environment that may be causing cell transformation, which leads to the development of cancer. The cells of younger people are more vulnerable to toxins and they can transform to become cancerous."

One of the likely reasons mentioned by Dr Goh, 47, is the increased cellphone usage here.

Read More...
http://health.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20080819-83040.html

 

http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=brain+tumour
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=tumour
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=brain+cancer
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=cellphone+usage
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=neurosurgeon