Don't Get Burned with Michelle Richert

Protecting yourself from the sun is about more than avoiding a painful sunburn. Sun exposure can have long-term effects on your health, including increasing your risk of skin cancer. In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., host Kacie Schumann continues our two-part series on sun safety with Michelle Richert, a nurse and resource coordinator at the Bliss Cancer Center at Mary Greeley Medical Center. Michelle brings a health care perspective to the conversation, sharing information about skin cancer prevention, sun protection, and recognizing when something on your skin may need a closer look. The conversation explores who is most at risk for skin cancer, steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, and what to consider when choosing and using sunscreen. Michelle and Kacie also tackle some common misconceptions about sun exposure, including whether you can get burned on cloudy or winter days and whether a "base tan" actually provides protection. Episode Highlights Sun Safety and Skin Cancer Michelle discusses her work at the Bliss Cancer Center, how skin cancer impacts Iowans, and programs available to help educate people about sun safety. Who Is Most at Risk? While sun protection is important for everyone, some people face a greater risk of developing skin cancer. Michelle explains some of the factors that can increase that risk. Protecting Yourself from the Sun From sunscreen and SPF to other ways of limiting sun exposure, the conversation covers practical steps people can take to protect their skin while still enjoying time outdoors. Sun Safety for All Ages Kids, older adults, and other populations may have different needs when spending time outdoors. Michelle shares considerations for keeping everyone safer in the sun and heat. Sun Safety Myths and Misconceptions Can you get a sunburn when it's cloudy? What about during an Iowa winter? Does a "base tan" help protect you? Kacie and Michelle sort through some common beliefs about tanning and sun exposure. Knowing What to Look For Early detection matters. Michelle discusses warning signs of skin cancer and walks through the ABCDEs of melanoma, helping listeners understand changes in their skin that may warrant a conversation with a health care provider. This is part two of our two-part series on sun safety. Whether you're working outside, spending a day at the pool, enjoying a park, or just going about your daily routine, protecting your skin is an important part of staying healthy. For more information and resources about melanoma prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment, visit the AIM at Melanoma Foundation. Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast? Send suggestions to Kacie.Schumann@CityofAmes.org