Actor Scott Baio's wife, former stuntwoman Renee Baio, has revealed that she has been diagnosed with microvascular brain disease. The stunt woman was also found to have early stage breast cancer years ago, as well as a meningioma brain tumor, though she reportedly now has two such tumors.
In 2015, Renee Baio and her husband learned that she had a meningioma brain tumor. Before that diagnosis, however, she was also diagnosed with DCIS stage 0-1 early breast cancer, for which she underwent three successful lumpectomies.
When Baio revealed her brain tumor diagnosis, she told PEOPLE magazine that she wanted to raise awareness about her condition. According to the former stuntwoman, she was initially told that because she was premenopausal, the headaches and cluster migraines she had been suffering for two years were likely caused by changing hormones.
"Unfortunately, a lot of women are given this explanation and they need to get checked out — an MRI did not pick up the tumor, but an MRI with contrast spotted it," Baio said.
In her Twitter reply on March 10, 45-year-old Baio revealed that not only did she already have two meningioma brain tumors, she was also diagnosed with microvascular brain disease in October of last year as well. Her husband Scott Baio, 57, also took to Twitter to confirm his wife's news.
Besides having 2 meningioma brain tumors, in Oct 2017 I also learned I have Microvascular Brain Disease. @Jerseyshore06
— Renee Baio (@MrsScottBaio) March 10, 2018 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">Unfortunately, this is true. Renee is forever my rock, my life & my soulmate! Toughest person I know. @MrsScottBaio https://t.co/fyMtMl8MGX
— Scott Baio (@ScottBaio) March 10, 2018 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">According to Healthline, microvascular brain disease affects the brain's small blood vessels. The disease can vary in severity from person to person, and up to 20 percent of elderly people with the disease experience no symptoms. However, if left untreated, the disease can cause cognitive impairment, depression, stroke, and dementia.
Scott Baio also told The Blast that his wife, when she was working as a stunt woman, was in a jet ski accident in 1992. According to the actor, the accident caused a massive brain injury, although they are unsure if Renee Baio's brain disease and brain tumors have anything to do with the injury.
"All we know is she must live as stress-free, depression free and anxiety free life as possible and a get good amount of sleep each night," the actor continued.
