2006年VOA标准英语-Skin cancer prevention

By Jane M Friedman
Washington, DC
11 April 2006
 
watch DNA¹ Skin Cream report

In the United States, where skin cancer is common, a team at the University of Alabama Birmingham is trying out a cream that may prevent the disease. 
 
  
  
Where spending hours in the sun is a daily summer habit, more and more sunbathers are using sunscreen.  But researchers say they also are spending more hours in the sun, putting themselves at continued risk for skin cancer.

In Australia, more than 400,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year; in the United States, it’s more than a million.

Doctors usually remove the cancers surgically².

A research team at the University of Alabama Birmingham is studying a new skin cream, hoping it may prevent skin cancers by repairing damaged DNA.

The team is testing the drug on patients who are taking immune suppressing drugs for other ailments³. 

 
Dr. Craig Elmets 
  
Dr. Craig Elmets, a dermatologist⁴ at UAB, discusses the research. "These patients are placed on immune suppressing drugs and by suppressing the immune system it accelerates the development of cancer."

The medicine, dimericine, works to repair DNA and, it's hoped, can prevent new skin cancers.

Participants spread it on their arms and face and are examined later for new lesions. 

 
Applying DNA Skin Cream
  
Dr. Elmets hopes the cream will work on the general population. "What we hope is that by applying a bacterial⁵ enzyme⁶ that also repairs damaged DNA, we can reduce the number of abnormal cells and in doing so we can reduce the incidence of skin cancer." 

In the meantime, the best way to prevent skin cancer is to stay out of the sun during the middle of the day, when the rays are strongest, and wear a hat or use an umbrella.

Some video courtesy of University of Alabama, Birmingham

1 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

2 surgically   

adv. 外科手术上, 外科手术一般地

参考例句：

• Unsightly moles can be removed surgically. 不雅观的痣可以手术去除。
• To bypass this impediment an almost mature egg cell is removed surgically. 为了克服这一障碍，通过手术，取出一个差不多成熟的卵细胞。

3 ailments   

疾病（尤指慢性病），不适( ailment的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His ailments include a mild heart attack and arthritis. 他患有轻度心脏病和关节炎。
• He hospitalizes patients for minor ailments. 他把只有小病的患者也送进医院。

4 dermatologist   

n.皮肤科医师

参考例句：

• I think you should see a dermatologist first.我想你应当先看皮肤科大夫。
• The general practitioner referred her patient to a dermatologist.家庭医生把她的病人交给了皮肤科医生。

5 bacterial   

a.细菌的

参考例句：

• Bacterial reproduction is accelerated in weightless space. 在失重的空间，细菌繁殖加快了。
• Brain lesions can be caused by bacterial infections. 大脑损伤可能由细菌感染引起。

6 enzyme   

n.酵素，酶

参考例句：

• Above a certain temperature,the enzyme molecule will become unfolded.超过一定温度，酶分子将会展开。
• An enzyme that dissolves the fibrin of blood clots.能溶解血凝块中的纤维的酶。