{"id":20199,"date":"2026-04-10T16:54:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T21:54:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/?p=20199"},"modified":"2026-04-13T11:01:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T16:01:07","slug":"what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Need to Know About What Really Causes Brain Tumors"},"content":{"rendered":"

The internet can be pretty dramatic when it comes to how everyday habits and products affect our health. Brain tumors are no exception. One minute you\u2019re reading that your morning coffee could trigger cancer, the next it\u2019s your cell phone or hair dye. The truth? The science is much more nuanced than headlines would have you believe.<\/p>\n

\n

Talk to your doctor about brain health<\/p>\n

Find a primary care provider near you<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Andrew Tsung, MD,<\/a> vice president, OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute<\/a>, breaks down everything we know about what causes brain tumors, debunks common brain tumor myths and shares practical ways to understand your risk and support your brain health.<\/p>\n

Everything We Know About What Causes Brain Tumors<\/h2>\n

Despite what headlines might suggest, the exact cause of most brain tumors is still unknown. Research points to a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. \u201cCancerous brain tumors are actually very rare,\u201d said Dr. Tsung. \u201cMost of the time, if you or a loved one develop one, it\u2019s not because of something you did wrong. It\u2019s just one of those things the body can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Are brain tumors hereditary?<\/h3>\n

Most brain tumors are not directly inherited. In rare cases, families with certain genetic syndromes may have a higher risk. For most people, having a relative with a brain tumor doesn\u2019t mean you will get one. \u201cIt\u2019s easy to worry when you see a close relative with cancer,\u201d said Dr. Tsung. \u201cBut most families don\u2019t have a pattern of brain tumors. Knowing your family history helps, but it doesn\u2019t mean a brain tumor is inevitable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do cell phones cause brain tumors?<\/h3>\n

No. Current research does not show a consistent link. Decades of studies have looked at cell phone use and brain cancer. Large population studies have not found evidence that typical cell phone use increases brain tumor risk.<\/p>\n

Do AirPods cause brain tumors?<\/h3>\n

No. AirPods and other Bluetooth devices do emit very low levels of radiation, but it is far below what is known to cause damage to cells. There is no evidence connecting their use to brain tumors.<\/p>\n

Does birth control, Depo-Provera or Nexplanon cause brain tumors?<\/h3>\n

No. Hormonal contraception like pills, injections like Depo-Provera and implants like Nexplanon have been studied extensively and the research does not support a connection to developing a brain tumor. \u201cAll medications have side effects, but brain tumors aren\u2019t a concern with these birth control options,\u201d said Dr. Tsung.<\/p>\n

Can hair dye cause brain tumors?<\/h3>\n

No. Some older studies suggested a potential link between frequent, long-term exposure to hair dye chemicals and cancer. However, modern hair dyes are regulated, and research has not found a clear connection to brain tumors.<\/p>\n

Can stress cause tumors in the brain?<\/h3>\n

No. Stress does not directly cause brain tumors. However, managing stress<\/a> is still important for your overall health. Healthy habits that help reduce stress, like getting good sleep, staying active and eating well, also support your body and may help lower your overall cancer risk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Can seizures cause brain tumors?<\/h3>\n

No. Seizures<\/a> can sometimes be a symptom of a brain tumor. Talk to your health care provider if you experience new-onset seizures, as this may be a sign that something is affecting your brain.<\/p>\n

Can smoking cause brain tumors?<\/h3>\n

Smoking is linked to a lot of cancers, including lung and throat, but it\u2019s not considered a direct cause of brain tumors. Some research suggests that heavy smoking may slightly raise the risk for certain types of brain tumors, but it\u2019s not a strong connection. That said, quitting smoking is still one of the most powerful things you can do to lower your overall cancer risk.<\/p>\n

How to Prevent Brain Tumors<\/h2>\n

While brain tumors can\u2019t be completely prevented, you can take steps to support your brain health and reduce overall risk:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Avoid smoking and limit exposure to harmful chemicals like strong cleaning products, pesticides or harsh fumes from paints and solvents.<\/li>\n
  • Eat a balanced diet, stay active and get enough sleep. These habits help your brain and body thrive.<\/li>\n
  • Keep up with regular check-ups so your doctor can monitor your health and catch potential problems early.<\/li>\n
  • Know your family history and discuss concerns with your doctor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s about stacking the deck in your favor,\u201d said Dr. Tsung. \u201cYou can\u2019t control everything, but healthy choices give your brain the best shot at staying strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

    When to Talk to Your Doctor<\/h2>\n

    It\u2019s normal to get the occasional headache or feel a little off, but it\u2019s worth paying attention if certain symptoms stick around or seem unusual for you. Keep an eye out for persistent headaches or migraines, changes in your vision, hearing or speech or any seizures. If you notice any of these warning signs, reach out to your doctor. Even if it turns out to be nothing serious, getting checked can give you peace of mind. And in cases where something is going on, early detection can make a real difference in treatment and outcomes. Remember, you know your body best. Trust your instincts and speak up when something feels off.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The internet can be pretty dramatic when it comes to how everyday habits and products affect our health. Brain tumors are no exception. One minute you\u2019re reading that your morning coffee could trigger cancer, the next it\u2019s your cell phone or hair dye. The truth? The science is much more nuanced than headlines would have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":20207,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[101,129,735],"tags":[377,259,2,1097,1191],"coauthors":[1173],"class_list":["post-20199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cancer","category-miscellaneous","category-preventive-health","tag-brain-tumor","tag-cancer","tag-health-tips","tag-prevention","tag-womens-health"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat really causes brain tumors?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore common brain tumor myths, real risk factors and expert tips on supporting your brain health from Dr. Andrew Tsung.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The truth about brain tumors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Get the myths and risks\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"OSF HealthCare Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/osfhealthcare\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-10T21:54:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-13T16:01:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-brain-tumors-myths.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1533\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"894\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Lauren Freehill\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@osfhealthcare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@osfhealthcare\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Lauren Freehill\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/\",\"name\":\"What really causes brain tumors?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-brain-tumors-myths.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-10T21:54:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-13T16:01:07+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b8a43a2e83ab57b319af81da80db9584\"},\"description\":\"Explore common brain tumor myths, real risk factors and expert tips on supporting your brain health from Dr. Andrew Tsung.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-brain-tumors-myths.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-brain-tumors-myths.png\",\"width\":1533,\"height\":894},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What You Need to Know About What Really Causes Brain Tumors\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"OSF HealthCare Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b8a43a2e83ab57b319af81da80db9584\",\"name\":\"Lauren Freehill\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/author\/lfreehill\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What really causes brain tumors?","description":"Explore common brain tumor myths, real risk factors and expert tips on supporting your brain health from Dr. Andrew Tsung.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The truth about brain tumors","og_description":"Get the myths and risks","og_url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/","og_site_name":"OSF HealthCare Blog","article_publisher":"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/osfhealthcare","article_published_time":"2026-04-10T21:54:57+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-13T16:01:07+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1533,"height":894,"url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-brain-tumors-myths.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Lauren Freehill","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@osfhealthcare","twitter_site":"@osfhealthcare","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Lauren Freehill","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/","url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/","name":"What really causes brain tumors?","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-brain-tumors-myths.png","datePublished":"2026-04-10T21:54:57+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-13T16:01:07+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b8a43a2e83ab57b319af81da80db9584"},"description":"Explore common brain tumor myths, real risk factors and expert tips on supporting your brain health from Dr. Andrew Tsung.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-brain-tumors-myths.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-brain-tumors-myths.png","width":1533,"height":894},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-you-need-to-know-about-what-really-causes-brain-tumors\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What You Need to Know About What Really Causes Brain Tumors"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/","name":"OSF HealthCare Blog","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b8a43a2e83ab57b319af81da80db9584","name":"Lauren Freehill","url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/author\/lfreehill\/"}]}},"modified_by":"Gary Horrie","featured_image_url":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-brain-tumors-myths.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20199"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20210,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20199\/revisions\/20210"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20199"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=20199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}