With the recent announcement that Gov. Ron Desantis has signed into law a bill prohibiting Florida cities from banning certain types of sunscreen due to their connections with coral reef bleaching, we are reminded that there are still other risks to our health besides the coronavirus pandemic currently gripping the nation.
However, for Dr. Tim Ioannides, owner and primary physician at Treasure Coast Dermatology in Port St. Lucie, skin cancer has never left the forefront of his mind. As a Miami-native whose father founded the University of Miami's Dermatopathology Laboratory, you could say it's in his blood, and after a stint working in plastic surgery he founded his practice with the intent to provide medical dermatological services only. This idea proved successful in the county with the second highest skin cancer rate in the United States, and has expanded to five locations within the greater South Florida region. Having also recently worked on a successful study at the University of Miami treating a 97-year-old woman with multiple cancerous lesions using the HPV vaccine, Dr. Ioannides remains committed to ensuring the greater Florida area maintains awareness of the dangers of skin cancer. As residents of The Sunshine State, being in the sun is second nature to us. Whether it's a day lounging by the pool or beach, hitting the golf course, or fishing and other outdoor sports, the sun is a part of our daily life and unique culture -- which is both a blessing and a curse. According to the American Cancer Society skin cancer accounts for more diagnoses in America than all other cancers combined, and one in five will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Basal and squamous cell skin cancers affect more than 5 million Americans each year alone, and while they are rarely deadly, the same can't be said for melanoma. Last year, about 8,000 Floridians were diagnosed with melanoma, and Florida has the second highest number of melanoma cases in the nation. While this can be attributed in part to our lifestyle, UV radiation is still the main cause of developing skin cancer, and the UV index is much higher here than in more northern states. With the increased risk that comes with living among the palm trees and oranges, constant dermatological supervision is needed to ensure we are employing proper preventative measures and catching any risks early.
Read the full story here: https://patch.com/florida/southtampa/dr-tim-ioannides-fighting-skin-cancer-sunshine-state-nodx