Rumer Willis, eldest daughter of actor Bruce Willis, has undergone preventive genetic testing, including an ApoE test, to assess her risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. This decision comes in the wake of her father's diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
"It’s terrifying to get answers sometimes," Willis told People magazine. "Obviously there are genetic things in my family. Not just dementia, I’ve had some family members who have had breast cancer and family members who have had different things."
She expressed that having information is empowering, allowing for proactive health measures. "When we’re able to see, OK, maybe I’m more predisposed to this, you can just start actively working to reduce inflammation in your body, work on heart health, whatever it is."
Bruce Willis's family first announced his aphasia diagnosis three years ago. By February 2023, his loved ones confirmed the condition had progressed into FTD, a degenerative brain disease affecting speech, behavior, and cognitive function.
In a video shared on Function's Instagram account, Rumer reflected on her father's health, stating, "I really miss my dad. I miss a different version of who he was. There are some days that are just so hard. I try to prioritize being present with where he's at now. The truth is, to be strong is learning to deal with both things at the same time."
Willis, who shares a three-year-old daughter, Louetta, with ex-boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas, shared that her test results came back as "pretty average." She explained this indicates some risk but not an unusually high one. The company, Function, offers a range of advanced lab tests.
She emphasized the importance of health, noting, "I think health is one of those things that we take for granted until we don’t have it. And I think that if you are taking small steps right now to be proactive about it, you might not have to have such a steep fall off the cliff as you get older."
Bruce Willis's family revealed his initial diagnosis in 2022. His wife, Emma Heming Willis, has also detailed the experience of caregiving in her book, "The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path."