Rachel Moore

Almost to the day of the first anniversary of the death, aged 40, of Dame Deborah James, whose humour and campaigning saved so many lives by breaking the taboo of talking about her fatal bowel cancer, another brilliant communicator took up the campaigning mantle about her diagnosis of a devastating disease no one likes to talk about.

Journalist, broadcaster and newspaper columnist Fiona Phillips revealed that, at just 62, she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the condition that she had already used her public profile to raise awareness about for many years as it took the lives of both her parents and other relatives.

Both women, personification of the indiscriminate cruelty of life, using their innate communication skills and profiles to talk openly about a terrifying condition taking over their beings, at a time when most people would want to crawl under a blanket and hide, in the name of altruism to help other people.

Like James, who lived with her cancer for more than five years, Phillips’ diagnosis felt like a medicine ball in the stomach for those who knew, and feel like they know her, from her days presenting breakfast TV, that someone like her, a mother of a 24 and 21-year-old, glamorous, sassy, clever, fit and privileged, has such a degenerative brain condition that each and every one of us fears and dreads. 

Phillips, like James, is doing what she does best, using her communication skills to educate others by sharing her experiences, prepared to live with this disease publicly. 

James saved countless people from bowel cancer, fundraising and raising awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and research.

Now Phillips, who feared Alzheimer’s was coming for her as it ate its way through her family, is doing the same.

She initially put her brain fog and anxiety down to the menopause, steadfastly believing there was nothing wrong with her.

Now she is participating in groundbreaking clinical and drug trials that the medics and scientists desperately want more people with Alzheimer’s to join.

But people are terrified. 

The neurologist leading the trials insists that people with dementia who take part in clinical trials often have better outcomes regardless of whether the medication they are administered works.

The way forward for anyone in the early stages of dementia is to take part in research, said Prof Jonathan Schott, of University College London and Alzheimer’s Research UK’s chief medical officer.

More volunteers are needed in early stages. Why wouldn’t you?

Phillips’ condition is labelled early onset because she is under 65.

An estimated 70,800 people in the UK have early onset, which is difficult to diagnose because of the variety of symptoms.  

Behaviour and language-related symptoms can be indicators rather than the more understood memory loss. 

It can also be confused with more common midlife problems like the menopause or stress.

Show me a woman in her 50s and 60s who doesn’t have either, making it crucial that we make dementia awareness on a par with other regular health checks, like lumps, moles changes, eye tests and hearing.

My oldest and dearest friend has been staying this week to celebrate my birthday in a month that we both move into the last year of our 50s.

A scientist in New Zealand, she came armed with much advice, backed by the science, data and evidence, to share with my UK friends, about what we must do to protect our physical and mental health and wellbeing.

We had discussed everything else apart dementia, until we heard about Phillips.

Her diagnosis is hereditary, but we can all do our best to protect ourselves.

Phillips will become a crusader for awareness, and will be effective, like James, in saving lives by breaking taboo encouraging people to face their fears and get early diagnosis to give them a fighting chance by taking part in trials, all the time knowing this evil disease is taking her life.

In return, we must look after ourselves by six key measures:

  • Physical activity
  • Eating healthily
  • Don't smoke
  • Drink less alcohol
  • Stay mentally and socially active
  • Take control of your health

No one can do it for us. 

Fighting off dementia 
Keeping mentally stimulated is key to staving off dementia.

A new campaign by the Royal Voluntary Service to find 25,000 more volunteers to provide support for the NHS as the service marks its 75th anniversary, offers a solution on a plate.

People are needed in hospital settings and the community to support the most vulnerable, helping with visiting, shopping and prescriptions deliveries, phone calls and transporting medical supplies.

I’ve never understood why people choose to do nothing and then complain they are bored in retirement, rarely get out and about and feel purposeless when there are so many volunteering opportunities and organisations crying out for people to give their time that bring huge benefits both ways. 

The satisfaction, involvement, routine and fulfilment are immeasurable.

Nation of lazy eaters
More than a quarter of UK adults have never boiled an egg, a Waitrose survey found.

The Waitrose Cooking Report also found searches for microwave meals were up 71% on waitrose.com compared with the same time last year.

It takes the same time to boil an egg as ping a sugar, fat and preservative laden meal.

Three minutes. And is a fraction of the cost.

What a lazy and unimaginative nation we are.