When it comes to the health of our aging parents, brain cancer probably isn’t the first thing on your mind.

You might be more focused on managing their high blood pressure, encouraging them to eat well, helping them remember their medications, or getting them to keep up with regular doctor visits.

But because May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a good time to shine a light on something that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough—brain cancer in older adults.

It’s rare, yes—but when it happens, it can change everything.

What Exactly is Brain Cancer?

Brain cancer happens when abnormal cells grow in or around the brain. These growths are called tumors. Some are benign, meaning non-cancerous, while others are malignant, meaning they’re cancerous and can grow quickly or spread.

There are two main types of brain tumors:

• Primary tumors, which start in the brain
• Secondary (metastatic) tumors, which spread to the brain from another part of the body (like the lungs or breasts)

While brain tumors can happen at any age, seniors may face more complications because their bodies are already managing other health issues.

Why Is It Harder to Catch in Seniors?

One of the biggest challenges with brain cancer in older adults is that the early symptoms can look a lot like signs of normal aging. Things like forgetfulness, mood swings, and balance issues often get brushed off as “just getting older.”

But sometimes, it’s more than that.

That’s why awareness matters. The earlier a brain tumor is caught, the better the chances of managing it well.

Signs to Watch For in Your Aging Parent

If you’re actively involved in your parent’s life—whether you’re living together or visiting often—pay attention to sudden or unexplained changes like:

• Headaches that are more frequent or worse in the morning
• Memory loss or confusion that seems to be getting worse quickly
• Difficulty walking, frequent stumbling, or balance problems
• Seizures (especially if they’ve never had one before)
• Sudden vision or hearing problems
• Changes in speech—slurred words or struggling to find words
• Big personality shifts or changes in mood

These symptoms don’t automatically mean brain cancer, but they do mean something has changed—and it’s worth talking to a doctor about it.

What Increases the Risk?

There isn’t one clear cause of brain cancer, but some known risk factors include:

• Age (risk increases after age 65)
• Exposure to radiation
• Family history of brain tumors
• A weakened immune system

Still, many people diagnosed with brain cancer have no obvious risk factors at all.

What’s most important is not ignoring changes, especially when they come on suddenly or seem “off” to you.

What Happens After a Diagnosis?

If your parent is diagnosed with brain cancer, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed. There are tests, treatments, doctor visits, and a lot of information to process.

But you don’t have to do it alone.

At Abic Healthcare Services, we understand how difficult this journey can be—for both the person diagnosed and the family. That’s why we provide personalized, in-home care to support your loved one while also giving you room to breathe.

Our caregivers can assist with:
• Medication reminders and monitoring
• Personal hygiene, grooming, and mobility support
• Emotional companionship and reassurance
• Meal preparation tailored to health needs
• Help coordinating with doctors and therapy schedules

We’re also here for respite care—so you, as a family caregiver, can take a much-needed break.

Because caring for a parent doesn’t mean you have to do everything alone.

Let’s Normalize Talking About It

Brain cancer is serious, but so is being informed.

Talking about it won’t make it happen—but not talking about it can delay the help your parent might need. Whether it’s raising awareness, recognizing early signs, or simply knowing what to ask the doctor, a little conversation can go a long way.

Final Thoughts

You want the best for your parent. So do we.

At Abic Healthcare Services, we walk alongside families caring for aging loved ones with complex health conditions like brain cancer. We offer professional, reliable, and compassionate care that brings peace of mind—one day, one visit, one gentle moment at a time.

If you’re seeing changes in your parent and you’re not sure what to do next, reach out. We’re here to help.

Let’s talk. Let’s care. Let’s walk this journey together.