TV presenter Fiona Phillips revealed she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The 62-year-old who was raised in Pembrokeshire revealed that she was given the diagnosis at the age of 61.
Speaking to the Mirror, Fiona and her husband Martin Frizell discussed how concerns were first raised when Fiona was experiencing extreme anxiety as well as brain fog. After thinking it might be a result of symptoms from the menopause, Fiona sought further help and it was confirmed she was in the early stages of the disease.
She is now participating in clinical trials for a revolutionary new drug which scientists hope could slow or even reverse the illness for millions of sufferers in years to come.
Sadly, this isn't Fiona's first experience of the condition. Both her parents suffered with the condition before they died. Her mother Amy passed away with the disease in 2006 and her dad Phil also passed away from the disease in 2012.
She told The Mirror: "This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me. And all over the country there are people of all different ages whose lives are being affected by it - it’s heartbreaking. I just hope I can help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future."
“It’s something I might have thought I’d get at 80”, she added. “But I was still only 61 years old. I felt more angry than anything else because this disease has already impacted my life in so many ways; my poor mum was crippled with it, then my dad, my grandparents, my uncle. It just keeps coming back for us.” For more health stories like this sent directly to your inbox, sign up to our health newsletter here.
Is the condition hereditary?
Fiona's husband said that her family has been "riddled" with the disease. But what are the chances of getting the condition if a parent or another member of your family have had it?
According to the NHS, the genes you inherit from your parents can contribute to your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, although the actual increase in risk is small.
But in a few families, Alzheimer's disease is caused by the inheritance of a single gene and the risks of the condition being passed on are much higher.
According to the Alzheimer's Society, the most common genes that are linked to inherited forms of Alzheimer's disease are called APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2. Certain changes in these genes cause the disease because they alter the gene's function. These gene changes can be passed from parent to child.
The APOE gene has been found to have the strongest genetic link to Alzheimer's disease. It forms part of a mechanism that transports cholesterol around the body, including the brain. The Alzheimer's Society says: "The APOE gene has three different forms, called variants 2, 3 and 4. These variants have slight differences in their DNA patterns. Like most genes, we inherit one form of APOE from each of our parents. Inheriting variant 4 has been shown to increase risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, with the greatest risk occurring for those who inherit two copies. The variant 2 form of the gene has been linked to a slightly reduced risk. This is due to the changes in the genes having different effects on the way that the gene behaves. The reason behind why these changes influence Alzheimer's development is so far unclear."
Inherting these genes does not guarantee that you will definitely develop Alzheimer's, it just means that you are more likely to than someone who does not have any copies of APOE variant 4.
The NHS says if several members of your family have developed dementia over the generations, and particularly at a young age (before 65), genetic counselling may be available. This means you may be able to get genetic testing to find changes in genes that can cause health problems. You need to be referred by a doctor for this testing on the NHS.
Has Alzheimer's disease affected more than one member of your family? Get in touch if you would like to share your story of the disease, lydia.stephens@walesonline.co.uk
