iarjimphIARJIMPHIARJIMPH2709-331X10.47310/iarjimph.2025.v06i01.004Mind Over Matter: Understanding Brain Tumor Awareness and Misconceptions in ShimlaBackground: Brain tumors are complex neurological conditions that can lead to severe morbidity or mortality if not detected early. In low-resource settings like Shimla, a combination of limited awareness, healthcare access barriers and widespread misconceptions contributes to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Understanding public perception is key to promoting timely intervention. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 400 adult residents of Shimla between January and March 2025. A structured bilingual questionnaire assessed knowledge of brain tumor symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic methods and prevailing myths. Awareness levels were categorized into four groups based on accuracy of responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The sample was demographically diverse, with 63% from rural areas and a near-equal gender split. While 65–67% correctly identified basic signs and diagnostic tools such as MRI and persistent headaches, fewer participants were aware that brain tumors can be asymptomatic in early stages (58%) or recur post-treatment (45%). Misconceptions like linking tumors to mobile phone usage were prevalent in 62% of respondents. Overall, 19% demonstrated “Very Good” awareness, 33% had “Good” knowledge, while 36.5% and 11.5% showed only “Fair” and “Poor” understanding, respectively. Awareness levels varied notably with education and residence, with rural and less-educated individuals showing significantly lower scores. Conclusion: Despite a basic level of public understanding, major gaps and myths continue to influence how brain tumors are perceived in Shimla. These findings underscore the need for focused, culturally sensitive health education campaigns, particularly in rural and underserved areas, to encourage early recognition and timely medical consultation.