05 July 2023 , 07:08
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Former GMTV star Fiona Phillips has shared her worries after going public with her Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.
The veteran broadcaster now 62, was diagnosed last year, sending shockwaves through her family after she lost her mum, dad and uncle to the condition.
Fiona says the condition has "ravaged" her family over the years and received her diagnosis after suffering from brain fog as well as anxiety.
In a candid interview with The Mirror editor Alison Phillips, Fiona bravely explained that 11 years after the death of her beloved father, she couldn't believe that she was "talking about this again".
Fiona Phillips has shared her worries after going public with her Alzheimer's diagnosis (Philip Coburn)Over a decade ago, the broadcaster admitted she felt "a day closer to being sucked away from her current life by Alzheimer's".
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"I have that feeling now all the time that I am bound to get it. I worry. I keep thinking that I might only have five years left," she said.
Now, 11 years on, the mum-of-two said: "I can’t believe we are here talking about this again. And now it's me... It was clearly lying there all the time waiting for me... Like for all my family... there with 'Alzheimer's' on their gravestones."
Fiona went on to add: "It's something I might have thought I'd get at 80 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, and my uncle. It just keeps coming back for us."
Fiona's two sons, Nat, aged 24, and Mackenzie, 21, were tested for the gene with results coming back stating they do not carry it. The broadcaster hopes that by going public, she will be able to help break the stigma which surrounds the condition as well as offer comfort to those who may be going through a similar experience.
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common cause of dementia across the UK but, while the cause of the condition is not yet understood, experts believe several factors could increase the risk of developing it. It's believed that ageing, a family history of the disease, untreated depression and several lifestyle factors come into play.
Spotting the signs of the condition and symptoms can include confusion, difficulty planning things, issues with speech and language as well as low mood and anxiety.
While there isn't a cure, Fiona revealed she is on a trial for a new drug which could slow down the development of the condition or even reverse it.