Health
FDA Approves Treatment For a Precancerous Skin Condition
Source: NBN / CP RadioWire
May 20, 2004, 16:15

A new medication for a serious disease affecting as many as ten million Americans has just been approved by the F-D-A.  Medical Reporter Kathryn Matthews has more.

Rough, red scaly patches that you see on your skin may be a very common, precancerous condition called actinic keratosis, or A-K.  As many as ten million Americans are affected by A-K caused by exposure to the sun over time.  Left untreated, a-k can progress to a life-threatening form of cancer, but there is good news, the F-D-A has just approved a new, non-surgical treatment option called Aldara cream, the first and only patient-applied immune response modifier.  Doctor Mark Lebwohl, Chairman of Dermatology at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital explains.

�In clinical trials, the majority of patients experienced clearance of 75 percent or more of Actinic Keratoses.  And that is very good news for patients who have A-K�s.�

To help reduce the risks of sun exposure, avoid the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm, use a sunscreen with an S-P-F of 15 or higher; stay in the shade when possible; and wear protective clothing.  This is Kathryn Matthews reporting.

For more information about Aldara cream, AK or for full prescribing information, call 1-877-4-ak-news, or visit www-dot-aldara-dot-com.