I woke up this morning to hear a researcher saying that they had identified risk factors for dementia, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol – much the same as for heart attacks. There was a comment that these finding would be helpful in recognising that dementia is a disease, and the risk can be reduced by making life style choices. But Anna had none of these things, when she was diagnosed aged 54. It is like the current emphasis on using the brain – use it or lose it – but Anna had just edited a book and registered for a PhD. She has had to live with what has been awful, unpredictable and ruthless in what has happened to her and doctors have been unable to give any causal or lifestyle explanation . Even now, over six years after her diagnosis, she asks, Why me? I have done nothing wrong.
The researchers today may have good data for their findings, but I think this is part of a wider fantasy in society to that you can eradicate disease by living a healthy life. It doesn’t work quite like that. Dementia is no respecter of health – or wealth – or happiness.
It is the same with other diseases. I remember being told that Jackie Onassis was puzzled that she had cancer, when she had looked after her body so well.