MEDICAL ADVICE

Rising Temps a Reminder of the Importance of Drowning Prevention

by DR. JOY JACKSON

As the hot Florida summer months begin, friends and families make their way to the water to cool off this time of year. Whether it be the backyard pool, a local lake, or the ocean, swimming and boating are two of the most popular summer activities for people living in or visiting Florida. Although these activities can be a fun way to enjoy the summer months, it’s also important to take precautions and practice good safety measures around the water. Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 through 4. Florida also has the highest rate of child drownings under the age of 5 in the nation. Polk County’s child drowning fatality rate remains higher than the state average with approximately 14 drowning deaths in 2019. In 2020, water safety became a top priority of Polk County when residents saw a 100 percent increase in drowning incidents; Polk County is currently second in the state of Florida for most drowning incidents. With more than 500 lakes in Polk County, our residents spend a significant amount of time in and around the water. Because many are so comfortable near the water, it is easy to develop a false sense of security. It is very important for all Florida residents to be aware of water safety tips to keep a fun family outing safe for everyone. Supervision Drowning is a silent and deadly killer. It can occur within the small amount of time it takes an adult to check their phone, read a page in a magazine, or run inside for a towel. With the majority of drownings in Polk occurring in residential swimming pools, actively watching children while in the pool is the first line of defense against a drowning accident. Take children with you if the phone should ring or if you should need something from inside the house. Designate one adult to watch the children while they are in the pool; this adult should be 100 percent distractionfree, which means no socializing with other adults, no chores, and no talking/texting on their cell phone. Children should never be in the pool area unaccompanied by an adult. Swimming Lessons The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ages 4 and older learn to swim to prevent drowning. Encourage children, adolescents, and adults to learn to swim. However, remember that swimming lessons are not a substitute for supervision! For information about swimming lessons offered in the Polk County area, visit the Department of Health in Polk County’s website at polk.floridahealth.gov. CPR Certification Learn CPR for youth and adults, especially if you own a pool. It only takes four to six minutes without oxygen to cause lasting brain damage. Valuable life-saving seconds can be lost waiting for EMS to arrive before beginning CPR. In the case of an emergency, it is critical to have a phone nearby to dial 911. Reaching or throwing aids should also be readily available around the pool. Barriers Having a barrier between the house and pool could help to reduce the instances of drowning accidents by 50 to 80 percent. Examples of barriers include child-proof locks on all doors, a four-sided fence (at least 5 feet tall) separating the pool from the house, gates with self-latching/self-closing mechanisms, and door alarms.

Boating Safety When boating, make sure that all passengers are fitted with appropriately-sized life jackets. Obey all signs while on the water and keep a close eye out for other boaters and swimmers. In addition to this, remember that drinking alcohol while boating will impair one’s judgment and reaction times. Drinking while boating is considered drinking and driving. Swimming can be a great way to enjoy Florida’s natural scenery and escape the summer heat. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our children, and of ourselves, when in and around the water. For more information related to drowning prevention and resources, visit polk.floridahealth.gov or waterprooffl.com.

DON’T MISS OUT ON SWIM LESSONS

Type of Lesson Cost of Lesson or Group Membership

City of Haines City Janet J. Smith Aquatic Center - 1900 N 10th Street • Haines City, 33844 • 863-421-3700 • http://hainescity.com/179/Swim-Lessons • American Red Cross • Ages 6 months to 14 years • Beginner through advanced • Monday-Thursday, two week sessions • May – August • No special needs lessons offered $40 per session • 30 min classes *Class space is limited due to COVID-19 precautions None Required City of Haines City Lake Eva Aquatics Center - 555 Ledwith Ave • Haines City, 33844 • 863-421-3700 • http://hainescity.com/179/Swim-Lessons • American Red Cross • Ages 6 months to 14 years • Beginner through advanced • Monday-Thursday, two week sessions • May – August • No special needs lessons offered $40 per session • 30 min classes *Class space is limited due to COVID-19 precautions None Required City of Lakeland Gandy Pool - 404 Imperial Blvd • Lakeland 33803 • 863-834-3157 • https://www.lakelandgov.net/parkrec/what-to-do/play/aquatics • American Red Cross • Beginner through advanced Four sessions of swimming lessons June None • Ages 6 months to 14 years through August. • Call for details Required City of Winter Haven Rowdy Gaines Pool - 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd • Winter Haven 33880 • 863-291-5656 • http://www.mywinterhaven.com/aquatics • American Red Cross • Ages 6 months to 14 years • Beginner through advanced • Special needs lessons ARE offered • Morning and evening sessions • Monday through Friday, two weeks $35 resident of Winter Haven $44 nonresident of Winter Haven None Required City of Winter Haven Winter Haven Rec and Cultural Center (WHRCC)

801 Avenue T NE • Winter Haven • 863-291-5675 • http://www.mywinterhaven.com/whrcc.htm • American Red Cross Levels 1-3 • Special needs lessons ARE offered • Class levels are subject to change based on • Morning sessions, Monday-Friday for two participants weeks $35 resident of Winter Haven $44 nonresident of Winter Haven

None Required

Fontaine Gills Family YMCA - 2125 Sleepy Hill Road • Lakeland 33810 • 863-859-7769 • http://www.ymcawcf.org/join-the-ymca/fontaine-gills-family-y/ • YMCA Progressive Swim Program • Parent & Child (6 months – 3 years) • Preschool (Ages 3 – 5 years) • Youth (Ages 5-12 Years) • Adult Private Swim Lessons • Swim Team (Ages 5 – 18 years) • Synchronized Swim Team (Ages 6 – 18 years) $30/$60 member • (30-minute lessons) $35/$70 Nonmember• (45-minute lessons) 4-week session *Fee assistance available None Required for swim lessons Lake Wales Family YMCA - 1001 Burns Ave • Lake Wales 33853 • 863-676-9441 • http://www.lakewalesymca.org/lake-walesprograms/aquatics/swimlessons/ • YMCA Progressive Swim Program • Preschool (Ages 3 – 5 years) $30/$60 Member • (30-minute lessons) None • Parent & Child (6 months – 3 years) • Youth (Ages 5-12 years) $35/$70 Non-member (45-minute lessons) Required for 4 weeks session swim lessons Lakeland Family YMCA - 3620 Cleveland Heights Blvd • Lakeland 33803 • 863-644-3528 • http://www.ymcawcf.org/join-the-ymca/lakeland-family-ymca/ • YMCA Progressive Swim Program • Parent & Child (6 months – 3 years) • Preschool (Ages 3 – 5 years) • Youth (Ages 5-12 years) • Adult • Private Swim Lessons • Swim Team (Ages 5 – 18 years) • Synchronized Swim Team (Ages 6 – 18 years) $30/$60 Member • (30 min lessons) $35/$70 Non-member (45-minute lessons) 4-week session *Fee assistance available None Required for swim lessons Off the Wall Adventures - 2055 Shepherd Road • Lakeland 33811 • 863-709-9253 • http://www.offthewalladventures.com/swimming/ • American Red Cross • Private Lessons Offered 5 30-minute classes $150 in advance or None • Ages 6 years to adult • No special needs lessons offered $35/class/week Required Semper Fish Aquatics - Daniel Gay – Certified ISR Instructor • 4940 Maple Drive • Lakeland, FL 33810 • 863-272-8304 • SemperFishAquatics.com • ISR Survival Swim Lessons Ages 6 months – 6 • Most students fully skilled in 6 weeks Morning Lessons: $85 per week years All lessons are 1-on-1 • Please call for availability Evening Lessons: $100 per week • 10 minutes/day, 5 days a week • Special needs lessons ARE Offered $15 Refresher and Maintenance lessons None ISR Fees: $105new students Required $35 returning students Tuition assistance available – call for details

Swim Dynamic - 5825 Brannen Road S • Lakeland, 33813 • 863-808-0189 • https://swimdynamiclakeland.com/swim lessons • Swim America Program Ages 6 months to • No special needs lessons offered $225, Ages 1 – 15 • 5 days for 20-30 min

Adult Private Lessons Only $160 - $320, Continuing Lessons, Ages 1- • Call for questions 15, individual lessons, 30 min

None Required

WHY DETECTION IS KEY

DR. KENNETH ESSIG

Prostate Cancer Very Treatable If Diagnosed Early

by TERESA SCHIFFER

Prostate cancer is among the most common types of cancer found in men (second only to non-melanoma skin cancer), and the second-leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S., claiming over 34,000 lives each year nationwide. Though this may seem grim, it’s not as bad as it seems; While approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes, the five- and 10-year survival rates are 98 percent. Most prostate cancers are diagnosed at the local or regional stage, when the disease is found only in the prostate and possibly other nearby organs. When this is the case, the fiveyear survival rate is almost 100 percent. The disease rarely occurs in individuals younger than 40, with about 60 percent of prostate cancer cases diagnosed in patients age 65 and older. Dr. Kenneth Essig is a board-certified urologist with BayCare Medical Group who frequently treats patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. “Prostate cancer, when diagnosed early, is very treatable,” Essig explains. The key is knowing what your risk is in order to receive a timely diagnosis that will result in a favorable outcome. “Family history is probably the most significant risk factor, and some genetic predispositions favor a diagnosis of prostate cancer,” Essig says. “Those are the strongest links to a likelihood of prostate cancer.” Because having a father, brother, or uncle with prostate cancer indicates a greater probability of an individual also being affected, it is advisable to have genetic screening performed to assess the potential risk of developing the disease. However, men can have an increased risk without having had any close relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer. “Even without that family history,” Essig explains, “if you have a genetic variant, then you could be predisposed to not only having prostate cancer, but you could also have a more aggressive form.” It is rare for men younger than 40 to develop