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Brain Cancer Symbol

Brain cancer is a difficult cancer to deal with: The cause is not fully known, and treatments can be complicated, as they could interfere with normal brain function or lead to further damage. Brain cancer can start in the brain (primary brain cancer) or somewhere else in the body and spread to the brain (secondary brain cancer). Patients, survivors and family members show their support for brain cancer patients by wearing or displaying brain cancer symbols, in color, ribbons and gemstones.

  1. Types of Brain Cancer

    • Primary brain cancer comes in many forms. Astrocytoma is found in the brain stem, cerebellum, white matter and spinal cord. Brain stem glioma forms in different parts of the brain stem: the medulla, pons and midbrain. Choroid plexus papilloma is in the ventricles of the brain, while ependymoma is in the ventricle membranes and the central canal of the spine. Glioblastoma multiforme, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, begins in the glial cells in the cerebrum. Medulloblastoma is found in the fourth cerebral ventricle and the cerebellum. Acoustic neuroma forms on the vestibulocochlear nerve. Lymphoma is found on the lymphocytes, meningioma begins on the meninges, and a pineal gland tumor starts on the pineal gland. Pituitary adenoma forms on the surface cells of the pituitary gland. Schwannoma affects the myelin sheath that wraps around the axon of a neuron.

    General Cancer Awareness

    • The lavender ribbon encompasses all forms of cancer. The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life uses it.

    Childhood Cancer

    • Many children are afflicted by brain cancer, as well as by other cancers. The gold ribbon is the symbol of all childhood cancers and of children who have suffered from cancer.

    Brain Cancer Ribbon

    • The ribbon for brain cancer is gray. The gray awareness ribbon encompasses all forms of brain cancer, both primary and secondary. The gray ribbon also is the symbol for brain injury, asthma, allergies, diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

    Gemstones

    • Some people use jewelry to show their support for brain cancer patients and survivors. Besides jewelry incorporating the gray ribbon, brain cancer has specific gemstones, including silver lace agate and hematite, which are also gray.

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