July 2011 Letter from the Editor:UV Safety Month

June 19, 2011 by

Summer is in full swing!  Hopefully you’re enjoying the warm weather and finding some fun family activities to enjoy outdoors while school is out.  If you and your family share many outdoor sports and hobbies, it can be tempting to stay outside rather than indoors.  On the other hand, if you live in climates that become too hot for comfort, you may naturally limit your time in order to cool off in the air conditioning.  However you enjoy your fun in the sun, we invite you to honor UV Safety Month with us this July, as sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 

Did you know that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States?  One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in a lifetime and 40-50% Americans who live at least to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once.  Approximately 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers are linked with exposure to UV radiation from the sun (as cited by the Skin Cancer Foundation).  Also, did you know that sunscreen EXPIRES?  A family recently informed me of sunburns due to old sunscreen…so make sure you check the expiration date!  The National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion suggest other research-based preventative steps you can take to lower your risk of skin cancer:

  • Reduce unprotected exposure to the sun and artificial light from tanning beds, tanning booths, and sun lamps
  • Avoid sunburns, intermittent high-intensity exposure, and other damage from these sources, especially in children and teens, to reduce the chances of getting melanoma skin cancer.
  • Stay out of the sun between 10am and 4pm.
  • Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
  • Cover up with long sleeves and a hat.
  • Check your skin regularly for any changes.

Given that children learn by example, do you fall inside or outside of the only 58 percent of adults who say they protect themselves from the sun (National Cancer Institute)?  Have fun in the sun safely!

American Academy of Ophthalmology. www.aao.org

Skin Cancer Foundation. (2011). Skin Cancer Facts. Retrieved June 19, 2011 from the Skin Cancer Foundation website: http://www.skincancer.org/Skin-Cancer-Facts/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. July National Health Observances. (2011). Retrieved  June 19, 2011 from US Department of Health and Human Services website: http://www.healthfinder.gov/nho/PDFs/JulyNHOtoolkit.pdf

U.S. National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institue. (2010). Cancer Trends Progress Report- 2009/2010 Update. Retrieved June 19, 2011 from the National Cancer Institute website: http://progressreport.cancer.gov/doc_detail.asp?pid=1&did=2009&chid=91&coid=911&mid=

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About Kimberly Rodgers, LCSW, RPT-S

Kimberly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor through the Association for Play Therapy. She also supervises clinical social work interns pursuing licensure. She has worked as a psychotherapist for twelve years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia and Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

Her experience includes foster care, adoption, youth shelter, youth related research, school-based counseling, and sexual assault crisis center settings prior to private practice. She specializes in counseling children, families, and adults struggling with stress, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment to life transitions. Kimberly is a current Board member of the Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida and former Vice-President of the Southwest Florida chapter of the Association for Play Therapy. She is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and EMDR International Association.

Kimberly is founder of Monarch Wellness (originally Monarch Therapy), an integrative center focused on empowering individuals and families through emotional and behavioral metamorphosis. In addition to counseling and play therapy, the center offers other supportive modalities to further enhance emotional healing and stress management including support groups, yoga, laughter yoga, breathwork, integrative relaxation, and sound therapy. Monarch Wellness' sister site eFitFamily.com offers health related information and inspiration for everyday families to live healthier every day. The center is also involved with House of Gaia community center and other community and service focused organizations. More information about Kimberly and her practice can be found online: www.MonarchWellness.net.

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