HEALTH & WELLNESS
Don’t Forget the Sunblock!
Sunburns Today Lead to Cancer Tomorrow
by a doctor.
Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or
higher sunscreen reduces the risk of
developing squamous cell carcinoma
by about 40 percent and the risk of
developing melanoma by 50 percent.
At PureLife Medi-Spa, we offer medicalgrade
are recommended by the Skin Cancer
Foundation. Applying sunscreen every
day is the easiest way to ensure healthy
skin. The next time you head to the
drugstore for sunblock, pick up a couple
of extra bottles and share them with the
people you love!
IMAGES
LIVELY B. PHOTO: Dr. Joseph Fitzgerald
Medical Director/Creator PureLife Medi-Spa Tips for Protecting Against Skin Cancer:
■ Do Not Burn. Overexposure to the sun is the most preventable
risk factor for skin cancer.
■ Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds. UV light from
tanning beds and the sun causes skin cancer and wrinkling.
■ Use Sunscreen. Generously apply a broad spectrum
sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Reapply at least every
two hours and after swimming or sweating.
■ Cover Up. Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved
shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with 99-100%
UVA/UVB protection, when possible.
■ Seek Shade. Seek shade when the sun’s UV rays are most
intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
■ Watch for the UV Index. Pay attention to the UV Index
when planning outdoor activities to prevent overexposure to
the sun. 9
MAY/JUNE 2016
skincare products with SPF that
| TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 73
Several years ago, my best friend
died in my living room from skin
cancer, and it was one of the most
devastating experiences in my life.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t
think about Ed and the ways his death
affected my attitude about unnecessary
sun exposure. I believe it’s my duty to
educate my patients about melanoma
and ways to prevent it. Since May is Skin
Cancer Awareness month, I’d like to take
this opportunity to share facts and tips for
protecting your skin from this potentially
deadly cancer. It’s preventable and easy
to cure, if discovered early.
Did you know that ultraviolet (UV)
radiation is a proven human carcinogen? More people develop
skin cancer because of tanning than develop lung cancer because
of smoking! One in five Americans will be diagnosed with
melanoma during their lifetime, with an estimated 76,380 new
cases of invasive melanoma diagnosed in the U.S. this year.
A study from the UK found that about 86 percent of melanomas
can be directly attributed to exposure to UV radiation from the
sun. The risk for melanoma doubles if you’ve had more than
five sunburns – just five.
Your skin is the largest organ of the body and early detection
is very important. The estimated five-year survival rate for
patients whose melanoma is detected early is about 98 percent.
Paying careful attention to your skin now can greatly improve
your chances of surviving cancer. The survival rate falls to
63 percent when the disease reaches the lymph nodes and
17 percent when the disease metastasizes to distant organs. By the
time Ed contacted me about the enlarged node in his armpit, the
cancer was diagnosed as stage IV. Had he contacted his doctor
sooner about his abnormal growths, he may be alive today.
What should you be looking for? Remember these ABCDEs
of Melanoma: signs of skin cancer may present as moles with
Asymmetry, uneven Borders, Color variation, Diameter greater
than 6 mm, and Evolving changes in size, shape or color. Any
new growth that looks suspicious should be monitored. If you
have a sore that doesn’t heal, you should have it checked out
PureLife Medi-Spa Wellness & Skincare
12442 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo FL
727.595.3400
www.PureLifeMediSpa.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. G. Joseph Fitzgerald is the Owner/Medical
Director of PureLife Medi-Spa and has been practicing family
practice medicine at FitzTropics, in Largo/Belleair, for 20 years this
July. He is on the Largo Medical Center staff and Director of Oak Manor
Nursing Home and Wright’s Health Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Fitz Tropics Family Care
12464 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo FL
727.596.5446
www.fitztropicsfamilycare.com