MEDICAL ADVICE

Skip the Burn This Summer

by DR. JOY JACKSON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Joy Jackson, an internal medicine physician, serves the community as director of the Florida department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk). For more information about DOH-Polk, visit mypolkhealth.org. Follow DOHPolk on Twitter at twitter.com/FLHealthPolk. Summer is a perfect time of year to enjoy Florida’s great outdoors and spend more time outside. Whether time spent outdoors is for work or for play, it is a good time to remember the importance of protecting skin from the harsh rays of the sun. Practicing sun safety measures can help prevent skin cancer in those who spend time outdoors. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It is defined as a cancer that forms in the tissues of the skin. Nearly 5 million people in the U.S. are treated for skin cancer each year. Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, which is caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Although melanomas account for only a small percentage of skin cancer, they are more likely than other types of skin cancer to spread to other parts of the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), melanoma causes the most deaths among all types of skin cancer. The incidence rate for melanoma has also increased over time. The most recent data for the United States, provided by the CDC, shows that nearly 85,700 people were diagnosed with melanoma in 2017 and more than 8,000 died from it. Spending time outdoors is encouraged during the summer months, but it’s important to take precautions. This summer, it is important for individuals to protect their skin from ultraviolet rays and lower the risk of developing skin cancer. Here are some helpful steps to follow: • Stay in the shade or indoors during midday hours. • Wear clothing that covers the arms and legs. • Wear a hat or visor to protect the face, ears, and head. • Wear sunglasses while outdoors to block

UVA and UVB rays. • Avoid tanning beds. • Apply sunscreen when outdoors for an extended period of time. Remember that a change in skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. A simple way to remember the signs of melanoma is to remember the A-B-C-D-Es of melanoma:

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Tail Bone & Pelvic Pain?

• Do you have pain in your back that doesn’t show up on x rays? • Have you been treated for back pain but still hurt? • Are you a habitual leg crosser? • Do you have one leg that feels longer than the other? • Does sitting make your pain worse? • Does sleeping or sitting with your weight on one side help? All of these things can be signs of misalignment.

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