Here is some encouraging news about skin cancer, and the great strides scientists are making.
The pill is called, Zelboraf, and it goes after the specific gene found in melanoma. And by now, most of us have learned, that melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 68,000 people in the U.S. were diagnosed last year and 8,700 died.
The FDA (Food & Drug Administration) has given the green light to the pill, which is being made by Roche. And it's very good news, because melanoma is a tough cancer to tackle, and there have not been many treatment options for it.
"The FDA's quick action on this drug approval is important because it gives melanoma patients a new way to fight this deadly disease," Timothy Turnham, director of the Melanoma Research Foundation, said in a statement.
Zelboraf zeroes in on a mutated form of the melanoma gene, slowing down tumor growth.
There can be side effects with taking Zelboraf, including--hair loss, joint pain, diarrhea, fatigue and skin rashes.
Roche says the drug will be available in about 2 weeks.
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