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

However Mike Pence, a congressman from Indiana, introduced a measure to bar federal money from paying for any of Planned Parenthood's services, such as contraception and standard gynaecological care.

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"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.

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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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Dr Mohamed Taranissi is director of the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecological Centre in London - which has a live birth rate, as opposed to pregnancy rate of 40% - compared with a national average of 17 to 19%.

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