If you’ve lived in Florida for any length of time, it can be easy to become blasé about skin cancer and sunscreen. This is, after all, the Sunshine State. When you start learning about the dangers of UV rays as early as age 5, the message can become muted. Unfortunately, that means the finer nuances don’t carry the weight they should.
For example, we all know it’s important to use sunscreen. But did you know that most people aren’t using enough sunscreen? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, to achieve the full protection stated on a bottle of sunscreen, you should apply the equivalent of a shot glass of sunscreen on your face and body, designating at least a nickel-sized portion for the face alone.
And did you know there are two different types of sunscreens — physical and chemical?
The truth is, your skin is too important to overlook, which is why we focus on it each July.
In this edition, Associates in Dermatology’s Dr. Steppie talks about key irregularities that could be indicative of skin cancer, and Dr. Joy Jackson, director of the Florida Department of Health in Polk County, emphasizes melanoma awareness, saying it’s especially important because Polk County’s rate of melanoma is one of the highest among all Florida counties.
As temperatures soar, be sure to check out our feature on heat-related illnesses so you can keep yourself and others safe this summer. There’s much more inside, so dive in!
The Polk County Medical Association works to raise awareness for a variety of health-
related topics, including some you’ll read about in this issue. If you’re a medical provider in the community, we’d like to invite you to become a member.
If you’d like more information about becoming a PCMA member or need to check your
membership status for renewal, contact our Executive Director Jackie Courtney at (863)
644-4051 or email director@polkcountydoctors.com.
