Free Post #8 Can Sweeteners Treat Cancer?

            The common sweetener saccharin is used as a substitute for sugar in many sugar-free products. And it may now be used in drugs that are used to fight aggressive cancer. This is done by “it binds to and deactivates a protein called carbonic anhydrase IX. This protein is found in some aggressive cancers and plays a role in the proliferation of these cancers in the brain, breast, kidneys, liver, lungs and pancreas” (McIntosh).

Many people believe that artificial sweeteners are a carcinogenic (cancer Causing). But with this break through that should change many people’s minds. Knowing that things such as ingredients in everyday sweeteners that everyone uses can actually help fight aggressive cancers that kill many people is amazing. Also knowing the fact that one day I could be the person discovering things like this just gives me the drive to push through those late nights of studying.

McIntosh, James. "Could Saccharin Be Used to Treat Aggressive Cancers?" Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 18 Mar. 2015. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.

Prompt #8 Practicing Your Knowledge

            Being a Pre-med student one of the key components for getting into medical school is having hands on experience working in the hospital, or the office of the field you want to go in to. So going after the hands on experience was not a shock for me.

            Over the past weekend, I went home to visit my family since I had the weekend off from lacrosse. As I went home I was planning on shadowing a pediatrician at one of my local hospitals/doctors office. I came about this opportunity through one of my best friends from high school dad. He had done business with him and told him about my aspirations in the medical field.

            To my luck I was able to go on that shadowing, it was one of the greatest experiences. It showed me how much he cared about the patients and how much the patients cared for him. Even when the little kids knew they were getting a shot they still smiled when he walked in. He even gave me a basic way to diagnose bronchitis. The number one sign is coughing up junk, but that doesn’t always mean bronchitis, the best way to tell is listening to their lungs and hearing the wheezing from the constricted airways. I was actually able to listen to a child’s lungs (with parents permission).  

            This shadowing experience really has made me want to continue this path of medicine so I can change the lives of people every single day.

Free Post #7 Challenges So Far

            One of the hardest paths of education to pursue is Pre-Medical. Being part of this path has been difficult yet rewarding so far. I knew going into this path would be the hardest thing I have ever done and that has been proven to be true.

 The hardest challenges have been associated with the studying needed and having enough time to do it. Due to the fact I play lacrosse at state I have little to no time to begin with. Coming back from lacrosse it is usually 12 at night so studying after that is very difficult. Also studying before practice is difficult also, during an intense study session you have to leave everything for practice. I have managed so far with lacrosse though it has been very difficult.

Academics wise so far so good, the only shock has been all the information the teacher expects you to know before the lesson is taught. I realized I now have to read and study the lesson before hand so the information that is taught makes sense and I can follow along. The path so far has been an excellent experience; it is always pushing myself past my comfort zone. And I am loving every step of the way.

Prompt #7 Recognizing Truth

            The medical profession is one of the hardest jobs that anyone can obtain. So when people see Dr. in front of someone’s name they assume a medical professional. This is not always true; anyone who obtains a PhD has the ability to use Dr. in front of his or her name. This causes much confusion and fraud. 

            After reading Advertising the truth about who's a physician I have learned that true medical doctors are being exploited by non-medical doctors for their own personal gain. This not only is a crime but it also puts the patient at severe risk. “Nonphysician misrepresentation is no trivial matter. When patients think they are talking with or receiving care from a physician, they are assuming that person has received years of intense education, training and clinical experience that nonphysicians never have” (American Medical Association). 

            Many states have implemented laws implemented laws which require health professionals to wear identification badges when with any patient (American Medical Association). If I am putting trust into someone with the title Dr. for any health matter they better prove they are true medical doctors. People with PhDs should have another title besides Dr. due to the fact of constant confusion it causes.

"Advertising the Truth about Who’s a Physician." - Amednews.com. N.p., 29 Oct. 2012. Web. 3 Mar. 2015

Prompt #6 Observing Community

          The campus organization pertaining to my field is MSU AMSA (American Medical Student Association). I use to be apart of this organization but due to schedule conflicts I am no longer able to participate.  This organization represents themselves as the future of medicine within the Michigan State campus.

          The meeting I was able to attend was very interesting and informative. A surgeon stopped by to talk to us about his medical school journey. He talked about how he studied every single day more then he slept. He use to study until 2 in the morning then sleep till 6 then study again.  He never went out, but in the end it was all worth it.

          The benefit of this organization is the network it establishes. Almost every person in med school/ was in med school has been part of AMSA. With this being said, it allows pre-med student to have a connection already established with people who will be their future employers. They use job fairs and events to bring students into the organization which allows a greater network, and allows more communication between people within the organization.