Outdoor Central Oregon January/February 2020 | Page 43

JAN/FEB 2020
43
HEALTH|
IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN BEND
BY DR. OLIVER J. WISCO, DO, FAAD, FACMS
Barriers to care and health are numerous, depending on age and location. As a derma-
tologist that specializes in treating patients with skin cancer, one barrier to care that has
been prominent in my practice recently is a fear of cancer. I often hear from patients
“I would have been in earlier, but I was scared of what you might find.” This statement
inevitably starts an interesting conversation.
most times, can be completely removed with minimal side effects or discomfort. Each of
us has a unique underlying risk for cancer, with our activities and environment constantly
shaping our risk. As best you can, minimize the things that increase your risk for cancer.
For skin cancer, excessive sun exposure and tanning should always be avoided. How-
ever, what you did in the past is done so get screened - the earlier the better! Enjoy the
outdoors, be active, and be safe.
Every time I hear this statement from a patient, I ask them to tell me more. Sometimes
it’s not even a fear of cancer; it can be a fear of being scolded for their sun indiscre-
tions earlier in life, when they spent an excessive amount of time laying in the sun or in
a tanning booth. And now, as they have become wiser in years, they know their previous
behaviors make them at risk for skin cancer, so they want to be screened. Unfortunately,
I often hear that at some point someone in the medical field scolded them for their previ-
ous tanning activities, so they become reluctant to get regular skin cancer screenings.
Empower yourself to admit to mistakes of the past and focus on health now. No one
should ever scold you; they should applaud you for recognizing you are at risk and thank
you for coming in. We all made mistakes in the past, but now that you know better, just
don’t make them again and get screened regularly.
For the patient that is delaying cancer screening in fear that they will be diagnosed with
cancer, recognize that you are not alone. This reason for delaying screening has been
found to be quite common. Historically, any diagnosis of cancer essentially meant a death
sentence or “torture” from the treatments that were previously used. However, it is always
better to be diagnosed early as there are now many treatments that are effective and do
not have as harmful of side effects as previous treatment regimens. In the case of skin
cancer, an early diagnosis is always better and the life ending prognosis from a diagnosis
of melanoma that we were often forced to give in the past is now less common.
The reality is that one in five of us will be diagnosed with skin cancer. That is a stagger-
ing statistic. On the bright side, when detected early, skin cancer is highly treatable and,
About the Writer: Dr. Wisco is a fellowship trained melanoma specialist and skin cancer surgeon (Mohs). He founded
Dermatology Health Specialists in Bend and Sunriver and also cares for patients at Harney District Hospital. When
not at work, he is likely on the trail, running or riding his bike with his family and friends. www.derm-health.com
ART|
JESSE LOCKWOOD DESIGNS
BEND THEMED BOARD GRAPHICS
WRITTEN BY NEIL KORN
It all started when Gilson Snowboards in Pennsylvania spotted Jesse Lockwood’s art on Instagram.
Gilson was looking for artists who live in mountain towns to produce a one-of-a-kind board graphic
to sell on their website. Jesse’s Bend-themed board graphics are called “Farewell Bend”, a reference
to how Bend got it’s name. Many of the Bend-themed spots painted on the board are iconic locations
and some are personal to him. The Gilson boards have a floating edge base technology.
Jesse Lockwood is an art teacher at Bend High School. His art can be seen hanging in a few Bend
area businesses. Over the years Jesse has inspired countless students to use their imagination, ex-
press themselves, and in some cases pursue art in higher education. The graphic art he made for the
board came from many things that inspire him around Bend and personal interactions.
Starting at the top of the board is the Gilson logo. Next, is Jesse’s good friend Colby Nightingale a
long time Deschutes Brewery employee who passed away from cancer. Then there is Colby taking a
nap on a paddle board with the board intersecting with the Old Mill stacks. The Old Mill flag bridge with
people floating and paddling. There’s Jesse’s good friend Steve O’Brien surfing the river wave, a map
of the Central Oregon High Lakes, the Flaming Chicken holding a beer at the Century and Galveston
roundabout, the Victorian Cafe, Taco Salsa, a dog next to 10 Barrel, and directions to Mt Bachelor, the
Tower Theater, Ranch Records, Chow restaurant, Phil’s Trail, Parrilla Mexican Grill, Mt Bachelor, El San-
cho Tacos mascot, Friend Jeff Anderson playing Golf on Pronghorn’s Fazio Course hole #8 andTumalo
Falls. Finishing it off is the iconic photo of Colby holding his bike over his head. You can find more of
Jesse’s art at: jlockwoordart.com. To purchase the Farewell board look for: gilsonsnowboards.com
P: Neil Korn