 [ Symptoms ] what causes and who is at risk for brain tumors [ Disease ] no one knows the exact causes of brain tumors doctors can seldom explain why one person develops a brain tumor and another does not however it is clear that brain tumors are not contagious no one can catch the disease from another person research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop a brain tumor a risk factor is anything that increases a person is chance of developing a disease the following risk factors are associated with an increased chance of developing a primary brain tumor being male    in general brain tumors are more common in males than females however meningiomas are more common in females race    brain tumors occur more often among white people than among people of other races age    most brain tumors are detected in people who are 70 years old or older however brain tumors are the second most common cancer in children leukemia is the most common childhood cancer  brain tumors are more common in children younger than 8 years old than in older children family history    people with family members who have gliomas may be more likely to develop this disease being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals at work radiation    workers in the nuclear industry have an increased risk of developing a brain tumor formaldehyde    pathologists and embalmers who work with formaldehyde have an increased risk of developing brain cancer scientists have not found an increased risk of brain cancer among other types of workers exposed to formaldehyde vinyl chloride    workers who make plastics may be exposed to vinyl chloride this chemical may increase the risk of brain tumors acrylonitrile    people who make textiles and plastics may be exposed to acrylonitrile this exposure may increase the risk of brain cancer scientists are investigating whether cell phones may cause brain tumors studies thus far have not found an increased risk of brain tumors among people who use cell phones scientists also continue to study whether head injuries are a risk factor for brain tumors so far these studies have not found an increased risk among people who have had head injuries most people who have known risk factors do not get brain cancer on the other hand many who do get the disease have none of these risk factors people who think they may be at risk should discuss this concern with their doctor the doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups