As Andrew Lloyd Webber reveals his son’s critical stomach cancer diagnosis – the 9 signs you must know

COMPOSER Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed his son Nicholas is critically ill in hospital.

Nicholas, 43, has been battling stomach cancer for the past 18 months.

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His father, Andrew, revealed the heartbreaking news as he explained why he would not be at the Broadway launch of his musical Bad Cinderella.

In a statement shared in the , he wrote: "I am absolutely devastated to say that my eldest son Nick is critically ill.

“As my friends and family know, he has been fighting gastric cancer for the last 18 months and Nick is now hospitalised."

He added: "We are all praying that Nick will turn the corner. He is bravely fighting with his indomitable humour, but at the moment my place is with him and the family.”

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Gastric cancer is also known as stomach cancer and the NHS states that how serious the illness is depends on how large it is and if it has spread - along with your general health.

There are around 6,453 new cases of stomach cancer in the UK each year, Cancer Research UK states.

In the US, there are around 26,500 new cases of stomach cancer each year, the American Cancer Society states.

The NHS states that there are many possible cases of illness, but that they could be hard to spot.

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Guidance states that the cancer can affect your digestion, causing you to suffer symptoms such as:

1. heartburn or acid reflux
2. having problems swallowing (dysphagia)
3. feeling or being sick
4. symptoms of indigestion, such as burping a lot
5. feeling full very quickly when eating and you may also experience
6. loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
7. a lump at the top of your tummy
8. pain at the top of your tummy
9. feeling tired or having no energy

However, the experts state that if you have conditions like gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, heartburn that keeps happening, you may get symptoms like these regularly.

You might find that you get used to them, but if you notice anything that might be unusual for you then you must get seen by your GP.

It's also important to see your GP if you have problems swallowing or you have a lump in your tummy.

Experts at the NHS state that you must also book an appointment if you've lost a noticeable amount of weight in the last six to 12 months without trying.

You should get advice from 111 immediately if you've been being sick for more than two days or if you've had symptoms you're worried about but you're not sure where to get help.

If you see your GP, they will likely ask to feel your tummy and you may also be sent to give a poo or pee sample or to have a blood test.

If they think you have symptoms that need to be investigated then they may refer you to a specialist.