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Make Sure You’re Covered With these Sunscreen Facts

by ERIKA ALDRICH Summer is upon us, and amidst the yardwork, barbecues, days in the pool, and trips to the beach, it’s important to remember one key component that should be present in each: sunscreen. Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and lessens your chances of developing skin cancer. Take our quiz…
Tackling Prostate Cancer

Understanding the Risks and Preventative Options by TERESA SCHIFFER No one wants to hear “cancer” when they go to the doctor, but when it comes to prostate cancer, there can be a silver lining. Even though it makes up about ten percent of new cancer diagnoses each year, it only accounts for about five percent…
Raising Awareness About Skin Cancer

The month of May is recognized as Skin Cancer Awareness month, and although it just passed, the topic of skin cancer and preventative care is relevant year-round, especially in an environment like Florida’s. As we head into the hot summer months, it is important to know the different types of skin cancer as well as…

Editor’s Dose: A thank-you letter to nurses

FROM MID-FEBRUARY to about mid-April, my family was at the doctor’s office a lot. The late-spreading flu season (although none of us in our household ever actually caught the flu — thank goodness) must have carried with it many other viruses, because we’ve certainly experienced our fair share. In fact, a few nurses on staff…
Healthy Skin: May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month

“C’MON, DOC. What’s a little sunburn?” is a question I frequently hear from the public. The answer is, if you’re lucky, that’s all it is. But a little sunburn is one of the easiest skin cancer risk factors to avoid. If left untreated, skin cancer, or melanoma, can progress to the point that it’s disfiguring…
Cautions for two of your favorite summer activities

SPRING IS THE TIME OF YEAR in Florida when temperatures begin to warm and the weather is perfect outside. With the sun shining and a gentle breeze blowing, this beautiful weather also marks the beginning of swimming season for Polk’s residents. Swimming and boating are two of the most popular summer activities for people living…