Skin Cancer Prevention: A Year-Round Priority in Florida
May is melanoma and skin cancer awareness month, but protecting your skin is important any day of the year, especially here in the Sunshine State. Whether you’re a South Tampa resident or you live in St. Pete or the surrounding area, Griffin Concierge Medical (GCM) is here to support your skin health.
Both non-melanoma (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) and melanoma skin cancers are primarily caused by exposure to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Simple steps to protect yourself from sun exposure include seeking shade, wearing sun-protective clothing, and applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that offers broad-spectrum protection.
You don’t have to be in the sun all day to require protection. You can develop lesions and skin cancer simply by driving and being exposed to the sun through the windshield or walking outside for a short break, Dr. Griffin explains. “Every square inch matters, including fingers and toes and the tips of your ears,” he says.
While everyone is susceptible to skin cancer, certain factors can significantly increase your risk, especially in sunny Florida:
- Hair, skin tone, and eye color: Red hair, fair skin, and light eyes are associated with various forms of skin cancer.
- Number of moles: Having a large number of moles can put you at risk of developing melanoma.
- Family and personal history of the disease.
- Historical frequency of sunburns and exposure to tanning beds.
Griffin Concierge Medical: Your Partner in Comprehensive Skin Health
Skin cancer is among the most common type of cancers, but it can be best treated when caught early. “Skin cancer can be disfiguring and require a lot of attention,” Dr. Griffin explains. “The sooner we can diagnose, the better, especially from a melanoma perspective.” That means regular skin checks and being proactive about seeking attention when you notice any new or changing lesions on your skin.
At Griffin Concierge Medical, our physicians are a resource for our members in between visits to the dermatologist. “We’re not taking the place of a dermatologist,” says Dr. Griffin, “but, as primary care physicians, we can offer guidance when they have skin concerns and help them get the treatment they need.”
GCM partners with Modern Ritual Health to help our members address skin concerns, including spots, moles, and rashes, during their visit to our office.
How Does It Work?
- In-Office Assessment: Your GCM physician takes high-resolution, dermoscopic photos of a concerning mole or rash.
- Secure Transmission: These photos are submitted via a HIPAA-secure mobile application.
- Expert Dermatologist Review: Using state-of-the art diagnostic tools, a board-certified dermatologist assesses your skin condition and relays the diagnosis to your GCM physician, usually within hours, but not longer than two days.
- Rapid Diagnosis and Action: If recommended, your GCM physician can refer you to an in-person dermatologist sooner than otherwise possible, reducing long wait times to obtain an appointment.
This partnership has worked wonderfully for efficiency and rapid treatment of problems, not just for spots that might be considered cancerous, but also for other skin conditions, such as rashes and irritations, Dr. Griffin explains. “If we’ve tried a particular treatment with a patient and it has failed, we can communicate that to the dermatologist and they can come back with another recommendation,” he says. “We can coordinate with a local dermatologist for follow-up and guidance if the condition is not healing.”
“As a dermatologist, and Mohs surgeon, my goal is always to ensure that patients have the highest quality care and experience. Early detection with effective physician collaboration is what helps to save lives. I cannot begin to express the number of times we’ve been able to help improve outcomes and reduce scarring simply because a patient came in sooner than later to have something evaluated on their skin that just didn’t seem right.”
Elianna Goldstein
Co-Founder, CEO of Modern Ritual
Dr. Griffin shares an experience with a patient that recently hit home for him. The man has a history of melanoma and sees his dermatologist every six months. In between dermatological visits, he discovered a lesion on his shoulder and chose to wait to address it until the next visit with his dermatologist. The lesion turned out to be melanoma.
“This really ushered in our relationship with virtual dermatology, to let our patients know that we have a tool that can be of benefit if you need attention in between your visits with a dermatologist,” Dr. Griffin says. “Having dermatology expertise alongside primary care is important because your primary care physician is the gatekeeper for so many things, especially dermatology.”
Your Next Step: Ask Your GCM Physician
At your next visit to Griffin Concierge Medical, ask your physician about any skin concerns you have. We’re here to be your first line of defense when it comes to being proactive about your health.
