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This is because it can lead to serious complications, which in some cases can be fatal,
depending on a person's health and age.
22. Skin cancer:
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other organs in the body.
The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an
existing mole. This can happen anywhere on the body, but the back, legs, arms and face are
most commonly affected.
In most cases, melanomas have an irregular shape and more than one colour. They may also
be larger than normal moles and can sometimes be itchy or bleed.
Can be prevented?
Melanoma is not always preventable, but you can reduce your chances of developing it by
limiting your exposure to UV light.
You can help protect yourself from sun damage by using sunscreen and dressing sensibly in
the sun. Sunbeds and sunlamps should also be avoided.
Regularly checking your moles and freckles can help lead to an early diagnosis and increase
your chances of successful treatment.
23. Stomach cancer:
Stomach cancer, or gastric cancer, is a fairly uncommon type of cancer. Around 7,000
people are diagnosed with it each year in the UK.
The initial symptoms of stomach cancer are vague and easy to mistake for other less
serious conditions. They include:
persistent indigestion and heartburn
trapped wind and frequent burping
feeling very full or bloated after meals
persistent stomach pain
Symptoms of advanced stomach cancer can include:
blood in your stools, or black stools
loss of appetite
weight loss
How stomach cancer is treated
Many cases of stomach cancer can't be completely cured, but it's still possible to relieve
symptoms and improve quality of life using chemotherapy and in some
cases radiotherapy and surgery.
If operable, surgery can cure stomach cancer as long as all of the cancerous tissue can be
removed.