Originally published June 2018. Reviewed and corrected August 2026. Summer in the Ozarks is hot, and the sunscreen aisle is overwhelming. Here is how to choose one and use it properly. Which SPF? SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant. That covers most people. If you burn easily, have very fair skin, or have a personal or family history of skin … Read More
Cervical Cancer Screening: How Often You Really Need a Pap
Originally published January 2018. Reviewed and updated August 2026 — cervical cancer screening has changed substantially since this was first written. “How often am I supposed to get a Pap smear?” is one of the most common questions I get, and the honest answer is that it’s more complicated than it used to be — because screening got better, not … Read More
Protecting Your Eyes from the Sun: Sunglasses, UV Damage and Eclipses
Most of the sun damage your eyes take doesn’t happen during an eclipse. It happens on ordinary days — driving, fishing on Table Rock, working outside, sitting on a dock in July. UV exposure adds up over years, and by the time it shows up as a cataract or a growth on the surface of the eye, the damage is … Read More
Skin Cancer: How to Protect Your Skin and What to Watch For
Summer in the Ozarks means lake days, gardening, and a lot more time in the sun. It is also a good moment to talk about the most common cancer in the country — and one of the most preventable. About 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. The good news is that when it is caught … Read More