The patent also covers use of the bacterium in ointments, creams and lotions for treating gynaecological conditions.

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The same technique could eventually work for human cancers, especially those that are treated with abdominal radiation therapy such as gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and gynaecological tumours.

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Some common gynaecological operations are carried out using keyhole techniques.

BBC: Keyhole surgery

"Bob Edwards is one of our greatest scientists, " said Mike Macnamee, chief executive of Bourn Hall, the IVF clinic founded by Prof Edwards with his fellow IVF pioneer Patrick Steptoe, a gynaecological surgeon.

BBC: Test-tube baby pioneer Sir Robert Edwards dies

Doctors can go abroad and practice - Kent surgeon Rodney Ledward, was alleged to be still working in the Middle East despite being struck off for serious professional misconduct after a series of botched gynaecological operations.

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