The simple hand test that could reveal if you have a hidden brain tumour – and it takes just 30 seconds

The Sun

21-05-2025

A SIMPLE hand test could spot serious brain problems, a doctor has suggested.
The British medic who calls himself ' Medifectious ' on TikTok showed how to do the test in a video with nearly 200,000 views.
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It involves packing one palm on the other, both facing upwards.
Then, flip the top palm up and down as fast as you can for a few seconds. Switch hands, then repeat.
The test checks for something called dysdiadochokinesia, the impaired ability to perform rapid alternating movements.
If you struggle, you could have issues with your cerebellum - part of the brain which sits at the back and is responsible for balance and coordination.
According to the Cleveland C linic, damage to the cerebellum can be caused by a number of serious conditions.
This including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and multiple sclerosis.
It can also be a sign of a brain tumour pressing on surrounding tissue, or a problem with the nerves themselves.
The NHS does not list this hand test as a formal diagnostic tool.
It's used by neurologists as part of broader assessments, but struggling with it isn't enough to diagnose a condition on its own.
Brain Tumour facts: 10 things you should know about brain tumours
In his clip demonstrating the motion, Medifectious said: "Everyone should be able to do it.'
"If you can't do this you might want to get yourself checked."
He added that some patients are able to do the motion perfectly with one hand but have problems with the other, depending on the underlying cause.
Cancerous brain tumours are the deadliest form of cancer for children and adults under 40 in the UK.
They kill around 5,300 people each year - about 15 a day.
But even non-cancerous (benign) tumours can be dangerous if they grow in sensitive areas of the brain.
More than 12,000 people in Britain are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year. Around half of those are cancerous.
Common symptoms include headaches, drowsiness, vomiting and blurred vision - all caused by pressure building up inside the skull.
Other warning signs are mood changes, weakness on one side of the body, confusion, and problems with speech or sight.
Symptoms vary depending on where the tumour is in the brain.
Anyone who develops new or worsening headaches should see their GP. It's unlikely to be a tumour - but it's worth checking.
The most common symptoms of a brain tumour
More than 12,000 Brits are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour every year — of which around half are cancerous — with 5,300 losing their lives.
The disease is the most deadly cancer in children and adults aged under 40, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.
Brain tumours reduce life expectancies by an average of 27 years, with just 12 per cent of adults surviving five years after diagnosis.
There are two main types, with non-cancerous benign tumours growing more slowly and being less likely to return after treatment.
Cancerous malignant brain tumours can either start in the brain or spread there from elsewhere in the body and are more likely to return.
Brain tumours can cause headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting and memory problems, according to the NHS.
They can also lead to changes in personality weakness or paralysis on one side of the problem and problems with speech or vision.
The nine most common symptoms are:
Headaches
Seizures
Feeling sick
Being sick
Memory problems
Change in personality
Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
Vision problems
Speech problems
If you are suffering any of these symptoms, particularly a headache that feels different from the ones you normally get, you should visit your GP.
Source: NHS