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Young disease diagnosis

Amarillo, Texas - Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death and the elderly are not the only victims of this deadly illness.

When we are young, we often think we're invincible.

But, there are several diseases that can strike people younger than many may think.

Alzheimer's, Melanoma, Breast Cancer, and Osteoporosis are just a handful of diseases that young people need to become more aware of.

These illnesses do not have a cure, but if found early, they are treatable.

An Amarillo dermatologist we spoke with today says he treats teenage lifeguards that have been diagnosed with melanoma.

Yes, the sun can be your enemy at a young age, but so can Alzheimer's. There is no cure, but there are ways to prolong the disease.

Alzheimer Associations Tracy Sommers says, "you have to exercise your mind just like you have to exercise your body. Stay social, do crossword puzzles, read the newspaper..even if it's online. Anything that just keeps your mind active...just like we keep our bodies active. We need to be able to do that."

Sommers says the typical age of diagnosis is over 65, but she has patients that are in their 40's.

She says the youngest person diagnosed with Alzheimer's in this area was only 27 years old.