Eye Opener: Online Learning Activities

This week, we had to create online learning activities about our advocacy topics.  Here are my answers to my group members' posts:

Eco-Quest with Emily:  Uncovering the Facts about Cancer

Instructions:

1. First visit the WebMD webpage related to cancer and find 3 facts about cancer that interest you or that you never knew.
2. Next, visit the American Cancer Society Cancer causes webpage and read about the different known causes of cancer. Be able to list 3.
3. Once you feel you know what the causes/ risk factors are for cancer, go to this webpage fromPreventcancer.org and read about things you can do to reduce your risk for cancer.
4. Report 3 common causes of cancer and describe 3 of the ways you think you could best protect YOURSELF against cancer. If you already meet all the criteria, discuss changes you think are the most helpful in general.

3 Facts About Cancer

1. Male breast cancer is just as serious as female breast cancer and breast cancer does not have symptoms in the early stages.  
2. There is not one known specific cause of colorectal cancer and about 25% of adults in the U.S. will have at least one colorectal polyp by age 50.  
3. People who have cancer may experience depression, anxiety, loss of sleep, or more disruptive symptoms that need to be monitored and can be treated.  

3 Causes of Cancer/How to Protect Myself

1. Tobacco Use - don't smoke/quit smoking
2. Sun and UV Exposure - wear sunscreen/limit sun exposure
3. Genetics - Get regular screenings, especially if cancer runs in your family

The most important changes for me would be to get regular suggested screenings and to avoid the tanning salon (even though I love it).  Being more aware of these risk factors is a great way to get started.  

Blue Skies for Mary:  Health Insurance for All

Instructions:

The instructions were to watch a video, visit a couple web sites, and play an interactive game.  Once we completed that, we were instructed to share two things we learned.  

1. I learned about how health insurance works and how it reduces the cost for health coverage of the individual.  The video put everything simply and was easy for me to understand.  
2. I did not know that this would allow for children to stay on their parents policy until age 26!  I knew it was longer but I did not know it was that long.  I like the pros and cons site a lot because it presented the info in a way that was easy to follow.  

Out and About with Alicia:  Emergency Contraception 101

Instructions:

After reading 10 Common Myths, Misunderstandings, and big Ol' Lies About Emergency Contraception, please list 3 myths and why they are false.  Next, do some research and find & list 3 places you could go to obtain emergency contraception in Duluth, MN.

3 Myths about Emergency Contraception and why they are False:

1. Emergency contraception is the same as abortion:  EC actually prevents pregnancy and will not work after a certain period of time.  If the pregnancy has already taken place, EC is ineffective.  EC prevents the egg from being released, therefore it is not considered abortion.
2. It's hazardous to my health:  EC is less hazardous than unprotected sex, abortions, or even child birth.  It does not have estrogen in it.  While it may disrupt your cycle temporarily, it is not bad for your health.  
3. I can just go get it for my girlfriend:  If you are under the age of 17, you cannot get it without a prescription and therefore you could not obtain it for your girlfriend.  However, if you are over the age of 17, you could buy it for her.  

3 places to obtain EC in Duluth, MN:

1. Planned Parenthood
2. UMD Health Services
3. Local Pharmacies (Walgreens)

Molly's Rico Eco:  BPA is a "No-Way" in Baby Formula

Instructions:After looking into the websites listed below, I want you to decided if you think chemicals should be more or less regulated specifically relating to baby formula . Post a short reflection on it.

Wow!  After reading those articles, it is my opinion that we definitely need to monitor baby formula and what industries are putting into it.  It saddens me to think that we are harming today's newborns, tomorrow's youth, and tomorrow's leaders with all of these hazardous chemicals.  It is clear that the FDA needs to monitor this more closely in order to prevent unnecessary infant illness and death.  

Heidi's Health Environment:  Childhood Obesity

Instructions:

Click on Childhood obesity quiz below and it will transfer you to the website.
Childhood Obesity Quiz
Then click on Start Quiz.
After you are done with the quiz record your score and report back about what you learned.

I scored a 90% on this quiz.  I got the fruit juice question wrong!  I knew most of the answers and thought the quiz presented great information.  This quiz would be especially useful as an educational tool for parents.  I learned that you can't be too rigid with your kids' diet and that it is perfectly okay for them to enjoy some sweet treats once in awhile.  

Lovin' Nature with Brier:  Smoking Fact Find

Instructions:

1) Review the links below.
2) Find 5 things that you didn't know before watching the video or things that really effected you.
3) Post the 5 things you learned. Can you think of any personal reasons why you have chosen not to smoke too? For example, parents would be disappointed, dont want to smell bad, ect. Please provide one reason why you have chosen not to smoke or have quit because of (if you feel comfortable sharing)

5 Things I didn't know/that effected me:

1. The secondhand smoke video really effected me.  Seeing those little kids talking about smoking really strikes a cord.  
2. I learned that second hand smoke is just like smoking yourself.  If you smoke around your kids, it's as if they are smoking too.  
3. I also learned that each cigarette causes damage.  So, even people who smoke casually are still going to see the negative effects of smoking.  
4. The video clip of the aorta was very powerful.  I can't believe how much damage smoking really does! It is good to show the internal effects that people may not always think about because they can't see them.  
5. Annually, Minnesota pays $3 billion in health care costs because of smoking and the tobacco industry spends $196 million to market their products annually in Minnesota.  This is very disturbing to me and I can't wait to see the day that this is severely decreased.  

I have never really had the desire to smoke and I have some very close friends who are battling the addiction in their lives.  I see the struggles that they go through and have always made a decision not to smoke.  

Great activities everyone!  These activities were all educational and enjoyable.