Isabel Teixeira says genetic test found Li-Fraumeni syndrome

Brazilian actress Isabel Teixeira said she has Li-Fraumeni syndrome, an inherited condition that increases the risk of several cancers.

She learned this in 2019 after her mother and grandmother died of cancer, though she did not say what types they had.

The syndrome is linked to changes in the TP53 gene, which normally helps protect the body from cancer.

Having the condition does not mean someone will definitely develop cancer, and the risk varies; in the classic form, estimates reach about 70% for men and 90% for women over a lifetime.

Each child of someone with the syndrome has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene variant; Teixeira’s daughter inherited it, while her son did not.

There is no specific treatment to correct the genetic change, but diagnosis can lead to screening and monitoring to find tumors early.

The TP53 test can be done using blood or saliva, but Brazil’s public health system does not routinely offer it, and doctors decide what monitoring is appropriate for each patient.