May 2025 Designated as 'National Brain Tumor Awareness Month' to Boost Research Visibility

This resolution officially designates May 2025 as “National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.” Essentially, this is Congress putting a spotlight on a health crisis that often gets overshadowed, acknowledging the severe impact that brain tumors have on individuals and families across the country. This formal designation is meant to honor those who have passed away, support current patients, and, critically, encourage better collaboration in the medical community to find new treatments.

The Numbers Are Tough: Why This Awareness Matters

When we talk about policy, we need to look at the scale of the problem. This resolution highlights some sobering statistics that explain why this awareness push is necessary. Every year, over 93,000 people in the U.S. receive a primary brain tumor diagnosis, and over a million people are currently living with one. For those of us juggling busy lives, it’s worth noting that brain tumors are the number one cancer killer for kids under 14 and the second leading cause of cancer death for young adults aged 15 to 39—people who are just starting their careers or raising young families.

If the tumor is malignant (cancerous), the average five-year survival rate is only 35.7 percent. The resolution points out a crucial issue: despite decades of research, very few new treatments for malignant brain tumors have been approved since the 1980s, and those that have emerged only extend life by less than two years on average. This lack of progress means that for a young professional or a parent facing this diagnosis, the treatment options haven’t fundamentally changed in a generation. The core message here is that the status quo isn't working, and we need to push for breakthroughs.

More Than Just a Month: The Goal of Collaboration

So, what does designating a month actually do for the average person? While this is a non-binding resolution—meaning it doesn't allocate new funding or mandate specific actions—it serves as a powerful signal. The Senate is using this designation to express support for patients, their families, and the caregivers who often shoulder immense burdens.

Crucially, the resolution strongly urges researchers, doctors, and policymakers to work together. This is the policy equivalent of saying, “We see the silos, and we need to break them down.” By encouraging collaboration, the hope is to remove roadblocks in research and accelerate the development of better treatments that can improve both the quality of life and the long-term outlook for those diagnosed. For the average person, this awareness month is a chance to elevate a difficult topic, potentially leading to increased private and federal focus on research down the line.