Drug implant that protects against skin cancer
December 19th, 2009 - 2:27 pm ICT by ANI ( Leave a comment )Melbourne, Dec 19 (ANI): UK health chiefs have approved a drug implant that protects against skin cancer.
Known as Afamelanotide, it prevents the disease in fair-skinned people and lasts for two months, and avoids recurrence.
The implant is the size of a rice grain and is inserted in a person’s “love handles” - fat at the sides of the midriff, reports the Daily Telegraph.
It works by mimicking body’s natural defenses against harmful light and UV radiation.
It uses the power of the dark pigment eumelanin, which protects skin cells.
While US has approved the drug, it is still undergoing trials in Australia.
However, medics have warned it is a potent medicine and should not to be used for cosmetic purposes. (ANI)
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Tags: australia, cosmetic purposes, daily telegraph, dark pigment, eumelanin, health chiefs, love, medicine, medics, melbourne, midriff, natural defenses, recurrence, rice grain, skin cancer, skin cells, uk health, uv radiation
