Week #109: 🏡 Back to Earth, a Birthday in Transit, and a Magazine Taking Shape

Hello and welcome.

Chelle and I arrived home from Timor Leste with sun on our skin and a head full of whales.

It was the longest break we have taken in a while. Back at work on Monday, we found the teams had kept everything moving.

Family & Personal Highlights

The trip ended on a high with Chelle’s birthday, celebrated in transit… for the second time….. airport Champers!

Max, who was with us in Timor Leste, rang during the week. It was lovely to hear from him.

Ella’s 21st fell while she was in Thailand and we were in Timor Leste. The call between countries was brief, but lovely.

Sean currently in Pert, WA, for best mates wedding, he is both in the bridal party and MC…..on all accounts a great time and home soon.

The smaller moments were as good as the big ones. Old friends rang. An unexpected visitor arrived at the door with a gift of shaving soap. A date night with Chelle, and brunch on Sunday on a voucher from our wedding.

Did You Know? Melanoma Where the Sun Doesn’t Shine

Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world, with around 17,000 new cases a year. Most are driven by UV, which is why slip, slop, slap, seek and slide still matters so much heading into summer.

Here is the part that surprises people. Not every melanoma comes from the sun. Estimates vary, but somewhere between one in twenty and one in ten melanomas start in places that see little or no sunlight.

The main ones:

Acral melanoma, on the palms, the soles of the feet, and under the fingernails or toenails. It can show up as a dark streak along a nail.

Mucosal melanoma, in the lining of the body. The nose and sinuses, the mouth, the bowel and anus, and the genital area.

Ocular melanoma, inside the eye.

Australian research has shown acral and mucosal melanomas are not linked to UV at all. They also tend to be found later, partly because they turn up where nobody thinks to look. In people with darker skin, they are the most common forms of melanoma.

A few things are worth knowing:

Check everywhere. Soles, between the toes, under the nails, palms and scalp, not just the parts that get sun. A partner or a mirror helps.

Notice the unusual. A new or widening dark streak in a nail, a sore that won’t heal, or unexplained bleeding from the nose, mouth or bottom deserves a visit to your GP.

Keep up regular eye checks. An optometrist can spot changes you cannot.

National Skin Cancer Action Week runs from 15 to 22 November. A good excuse to book that skin check.

Professional & Business Updates

OsteoStrong™ Hobart

Much of the smooth return is down to Sean, who held things together at the centre while we were away. As assistant manager he has stepped up this year. It matters, because it means Chelle and I can step away and come back to a business that is still running. Thank you, Sean.

We continue to grow gradually, and we are seeing great member outcomes. A few more people signed up this week. We are also gearing up to “Bone Buddies” a way to deliver the service to people who have had a financial barrier to access, watch this space……..

On Monday night I gave a community talk at St Luke’s. About ten people came, and they were engaged, asking good questions about strength, balance and keeping their independence. A talk like that is a good reminder that most people want the same thing. To keep doing what they love for as long as they can.

Longevity Lab

IV therapy, the Thermal Wellness Pod and breathwork are all underway. Marketing has now started for the pod and for IV therapy, so the first bookings should follow.

Next, we turn our attention to VO2 max testing and training.

Healthy Life Network

I am very excited to be working on our new project. A Healthy Life Network monthly magazine, paired with a live call where we take a deeper dive, answer your questions and work through a range of preventative strategies together.

I spent a good part of the weekend shaping where it is heading, and the first issues are taking form. Again, watch this space.

Podcast/YouTube Highlight

This week’s episode is EP462: Doctor Ted Shares His Cancer Journey Part 2.

Ted continues his story of prostate cancer, told from the rare position of a doctor who has been the patient. It is honest, and shared in the hope it helps others. This week’s quiz question ties in with it.

If you know someone on a cancer journey, please pass it on.

🔗 Listen here

If you missed Part 1, you can find it here.

Featured Reminders

Here are a few products and tools that Chelle and I personally use and have discussed on the podcast.

These are affiliate links and are commercial in nature. They provide a genuine win–win — you receive access at a discount through your association with the Healthy Life Network, and I receive a financial benefit if you choose to purchase through them.

I only share products I personally use or believe may be of benefit, and you should always make your own informed decision.

NuCalm: www.nucalm.com, code DrWarrickNuCalm, 15% off for life, plus a seven day free trial…..we use it daily for sleep and for nervous system reset.

Fatty15: partners.fatty15.com/WARRICKBISHOP, a fascinating story of science, dolphins and healthy cells…have a look at the website, just follow the link.

PEMF (BestCellf): www.bestcellf.com.au/?ref=HealingMats, amazing technology that seems to help, even though we don’t fully understand it.

Community: Healthy Life Network, join free here https://healthyheartnetwork.com/page/community

Cholesterol Explained: https://drwarrickbishop.com/bookstore/8/cholesterol-explained

Quiz Corner

Last week’s question: Can cancer treatment affect bone health? Yes or no?

Answer: Yes. Some cancer treatments do an important job and thin the bones as a side effect. Androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer and aromatase inhibitors after breast cancer both lower the hormones that help keep bone strong.

It is usually silent, and the first sign can be a fracture. Ask your treating team about a bone density scan, ideally early in treatment. Keep the bones loaded with the right strength and weight bearing activity. Look after calcium, vitamin D and protein. And please do not stop or change any treatment on your own.

This week’s question: Name three important lifestyle factors for anyone on a cancer journey to consider. Ted’s story in Part 2 is a good place to start. I will share the answer next week.

Final Reflection

Last week I wrote that rest is part of health. This week added something to that.

Time with the people you love is not a reward for finishing the work.

It is part of what keeps you well enough to do it.

Warm regards, Dr Warrick

Helping people live as well as possible for as long as possible

Disclaimer: Dr Bishop is unable to provide individual patient advice over the internet due to the complexity and importance of health related issues. Australian guidelines prevent professional specialist advice being offered without an appropriate referral.