How to Detect and Protect against Skin Cancer

KIFI on June 1, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, The Skin Cancer Foundation says one in five people will be diagnosed with Skin Cancer in their lifetime.

A simple sunburn can cause significant damage in the long-run.

“All these things are cumulative over a lifetime,” Doctor Christopher Valentine, the Medical Director of Optum Care said. “And every time you get sunburned, that is significantly increasing your future risk.”

The effects of sun damage don’t always appear right away, but they can linger for years. Each sunburn you receive greatly increases the risk.

And people who work outside and frequently have the sun bearing down on them, have a much greater risk of skin cancer.

“I think the comment the doctor said when I was in my 40s is that my skin was that of like a 70 year old,” Adam Blessinger, an Athletic Trainer said. “I’ve been dealing with getting things cut off for probably 15 years already, but it’s really starting to it’s really starting to get thinner as I’ve gotten older.”

Adam Blessinger is my father, he constantly has to work outside as a part of his job. For nearly twenty years, he’s been constantly visiting the Dermatologist to have something potentially cancerous cut or frozen off of his skin. Due to the continued sun exposure, his skin has become paper thin.

“The other day I had a dog jump up to say hi, and it put its paws on my arm,” Adam said. “Then, I looked down and I had blood stains. It’s just, you know, it’s nothing that the dog did. It’s just the skin is is thin. And that was with a long sleeve shirt over the top.”

The biggest skin cancer causer is the UV rays from the sun, however, the rays from tanning beds can also cause complications and increase the risk of skin cancer.

“Tanning beds are, you know, basically the way that they work is they bombard the body with intense ultraviolet radiation,” Dr. Valentine said. “I mean, that’s the intent is people are trying to get a quote unquote base tan but over time, too much UV exposure. It does lead to different types of skin cancer.”

A good way to tell if you could have skin cancer is by using the ABCDE’s of Detection.

A – for Asymmetrical, a spot on the skin is asymmetrical

B – for Border, a spot on the skin has a fuzzy border

C – for Color, a spot has gotten darker

D – for Diameter, a spot has grown

E – for Evolving, a spot has changed over the past few weeks or months

To protect against the UV rays, experts recommend wearing sunscreen, a large hat, or SPF clothing when experiencing prolonged sun exposure.

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Missouri’s hot weather law kicks in Monday

KMIZ on June 1, 2026

Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A law that Missouri politicians passed last year to prevent utility companies from turning off air conditioning for people with unpaid bills during hot weather kicks in Monday.

The “hot weather” law will go into effect every year starting June 1 through Sept. 30, according to the Missouri Public Service Commission. The law prohibits disconnecting services when the National Weather Service predicts that the following day’s temperature will be over 95 degrees Fahrenheit or the heat index is over 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ABC 17 News Stormtrack Weather Team isn’t predicting temperatures to break the mid-80s this week.

The Boone County Office of Emergency Management posted summer heat preparedness tips from the National Weather Service on Sunday.

According to the NWS, heat-related deaths are preventable, and some people are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses than others, including infants and children, older adults, people with medical conditions and pregnant people.

The NWS suggests friends or family members of people who fall into these categories should check in on them, especially if they don’t have AC.

Staying hydrated, taking breaks and limiting strenuous activities while outside are other ways to stay safe in the heat.

Last year, 32 children died across the U.S. from being in hot cars, according to the No Heat Stroke campaign. Five have died in 2026.

According to the NWS, it’s not safe to leave children in cars, even for as short as 10 minutes.

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