Headaches or a Brain Tumour? Warning Signs and MRI

Medically reviewed by Dr. William Aung, DocDocDash’s partner doctor network.
Last reviewed: October 2026.

The short answer: Most headaches are not caused by a brain tumour. Tension headaches, migraines, poor sleep, eye strain and stress are far more common. Brain tumours are rare, and they almost never cause headaches on their own.

Brain tumour warning signs: when a headache needs a brain MRI.

What doctors look for is a headache that is new, getting steadily worse, or comes with other signs such as vomiting, vision changes, weakness, confusion or a seizure. If your headaches fit that pattern, a doctor’s assessment and a brain MRI can give you a clear answer.

How likely is a headache to be a brain tumour?

Very unlikely. A large UK study of people seeing their family doctor found that a headache alone points to a brain tumour in fewer than 1 in 1,000 cases. Recurring headaches are far more often caused by:

Tension headaches, from stress, poor posture or tight neck muscles
Migraine, which often runs in families and is more common in women
Hormonal changes around periods, pregnancy or perimenopause
Poor sleep, skipped meals or not drinking enough water
Eye strain or needing new glasses
Too much caffeine, or caffeine withdrawal
Overusing painkillers, which can cause “rebound” headaches

The picture changes when a headache comes with other symptoms. A later study in BMJ Open found that headache combined with memory or thinking problems carried a much higher chance of a brain tumour than headache alone. So doctors focus less on the headache itself and more on what comes with it.

What does a brain tumour headache feel like?

There is no single “tumour headache”. Many feel like an ordinary tension headache. What stands out is the pattern over time. Doctors take more notice of a headache that:

Is new, especially if you rarely had headaches before
Gets steadily worse or more frequent over weeks
Is worse in the morning, or wakes you from sleep
Gets worse when you cough, sneeze, bend over or strain
Comes with nausea or vomiting
Does not respond to usual painkillers

These features happen because a growing tumour can raise the pressure inside the skull. They can also have other causes, but together they are worth a doctor’s check.

What are the other warning signs of a brain tumour?

Symptoms depend on where in the brain a tumour is growing. Watch for:

A first seizure (fit) in an adult, which always needs checking
Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
Vision changes, such as blurred or double vision, or losing the edge of your vision
Speech problems, like struggling to find words or slurring
Balance problems or clumsiness
Personality or behaviour changes that family members notice
Confusion, memory problems or trouble concentrating
Hearing loss or ringing in one ear

Some tumours affect the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, which controls hormones. In women, this can cause irregular or missed periods, milky discharge from the nipples when not breastfeeding, or problems with side vision.

When is a headache an emergency?

Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department straight away if you have:

A sudden, severe headache that peaks within a minute, often described as “the worst headache of my life”
Headache with face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech, which may be a stroke
Headache with fever, a stiff neck or a rash
Headache after a head injury
A seizure or loss of consciousness
Sudden loss of vision

These signs are more often caused by bleeding, stroke or infection than a tumour, and all need urgent care.

Who is at higher risk of a brain tumour?

Most people who develop a brain tumour have no clear risk factor. Known factors include:

Age. The risk of most brain tumours rises with age.
Past radiation to the head, for example as cancer treatment in childhood.
A previous cancer. Tumours that spread to the brain from elsewhere, most often from the lung, breast or skin (melanoma), are more common than tumours that start in the brain.
Rare inherited conditions.

Meningiomas, usually slow-growing and non-cancerous tumours of the brain’s lining, are more common in women than men. There is no clear evidence that mobile phones cause brain tumours.

How do doctors check for a brain tumour?

A doctor, often a neurologist, will start by asking about your headaches and other symptoms, then do a neurological examination. This checks your strength, reflexes, balance, coordination, vision and speech. They may also look at the back of your eyes, as swelling there can be a sign of raised pressure in the skull.

If they need to see inside your head, they will order a brain scan.

	Brain MRI	Brain CT scan
How it works	Strong magnet and radio waves	X-rays
Radiation	None	Low dose
Detail	Very detailed; the best test for finding brain tumours	Less detailed for small tumours
Time	About 30 to 45 minutes	About 5 to 10 minutes
Best for	Investigating possible tumours and other brain conditions	Emergencies such as suspected bleeding or a head injury

MRI is usually the preferred test when a brain tumour is suspected. Sometimes a dye called contrast is injected into a vein to make tumours show up more clearly.

What happens during a brain MRI?

You remove anything metal, such as jewellery, hairpins and some makeup.
You lie on your back on a padded table, with your head in a supportive frame.
The table slides into the MRI machine, which is open at both ends.
The machine makes loud knocking sounds, so you will be given earplugs or headphones.
You keep still for about 30 to 45 minutes. A nurse may inject contrast dye partway through.
You can usually go home and return to normal activities straight away.

Tell the team before your scan if you have a pacemaker or other implant, kidney problems, could be pregnant, or feel anxious in small spaces. Some hospitals offer wider “open” MRI machines or a mild sedative.

Should I get a brain MRI if I have no symptoms?

There is no routine brain tumour screening recommended for people without symptoms. Brain tumours are rare, and scans in healthy people often find small, harmless findings that can cause worry and lead to extra tests.

Some executive health check-ups include a brain MRI. It may be worth discussing with a doctor if you have a strong family history of certain conditions, a past cancer, or symptoms you are unsure about.

If you are worried about your headaches, a simple first step is a headache diary. Note when each headache starts, how long it lasts, how bad it is, what you were doing, and any other symptoms. Bring it to your appointment so your doctor can spot the pattern.

Frequently asked questions

Can daily headaches be a sign of a brain tumour? Rarely. Daily headaches are much more often due to tension, migraine, poor sleep or painkiller overuse. A headache that keeps getting worse, or comes with other symptoms, should be checked.

What is the first sign of a brain tumour? It varies. For some people it is a first seizure; for others it is a slowly worsening headache, vision changes, weakness or changes in memory or personality.

Will a blood test show a brain tumour? No. Brain tumours are found with a scan, usually an MRI, along with a neurological examination.

Is a brain MRI safe? Yes. It uses no radiation. Tell the team if you have a pacemaker or metal implant, kidney problems, or could be pregnant.

Are all brain tumours cancer? No. Many, such as most meningiomas, are benign (not cancer) and grow slowly. Even benign tumours can need treatment if they press on the brain.

Book a neurology check or brain MRI with DocDocDash

If your headaches have changed, or come with other symptoms, a neurologist’s check and a brain MRI can give you a clear answer and peace of mind. DocDocDash helps you book a neurology consultation or brain MRI at trusted, JCI-accredited partner hospitals. Chat with our AI assistant in the DocDocDash app, with doctors on hand to guide you, then compare options and book in one place.