The Sun seen from space (illustration). – NASA / AP / SIPA
The health authorities have once again reminded the dangers of tanning. The Agency drug (ANSM) warned Friday against using Picato gel to treat skin lesions due to excess Sun. The reason is a potential risk of cancer in the area where it was applied. France is not the first to raise the alarm. The European Commission has also decided on a recommendation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to suspend the marketing authorization for the medicine Picato (ingenol mebutate) pending the outcome of its re-evaluation.
Its termination has no consequences for patients
“It is a short treatment, two to three days, and stopping it has no consequence. There are other local treatments to put on the skin (5-FU and imiquinod) “in cream, said Alban Dhanani, director of dermatology medications at ANSM. Those who have used it in the past, however, need not worry, he said. These lesions require regular consultations with your dermatologist or general practitioner once a year.
Solar keratosis or actinic keratosis results in one or more crusty lesions a little reddish, rough to the touch and located mainly on the parts of the body exposed to the sun (face, scalp or bald head, arms, hands …). “They mainly appear in people over 60,” says Alban Dhanani. “Several studies have shown that with Picato, we have a number of cancers higher than that seen with alternative treatments that appear to be more effective, “he explained.
Regular dermatological control required
Actinic keratosis requires regular dermatological control because it can itself be the cause of skin cancer. Also according to the health agency, these lesions which can be a warning sign of skin cancer, evolve very slowly and are harmless provided they are detected and treated quickly.
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