Introduction

As you continue your reflective journal, this week you add information on your risk for developing cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic illness. In addition, you will explore your knowledge on sexually transmitted infections. Each week you will submit your reflective journal for instructor feedback, make the corrections or updates and submit all the previous weeks’ journal entries.

Activity Instructions

Complete the sections, Assess Yourself on the following pages of the textbook:

• CVC and Cancer: What is Your Personal Risk?, on pp. 390-392.
• Are You at Risk for Diabetes?, on p. 405.
• STIs: Do you Really Know What You Think You know?, on pp. 435-436
• Are You at Risk for Chronic Illness?, on p. 448.

Follow the instructions below.

1. Total your scores and analyze your results.
2. Based on your results, answer the following questions:   
   • After you assess your personal risks for specific cancers and cardiovascular diseases, look at lifestyle changes you might consider making (for example: add physical activity and better nutrition to your to-do list) as well as your genetic risks (talk to your family members about your family health history). For which cancers might you be most at risk? What can you do to reduce your risks? What can you do to continue avoiding cardiovascular diseases and your risk for certain cancers?
   • In terms of diabetes, take stock of the risk factors you may have for diabetes, such as family history, diet, and exercise. What are you doing to prevent diabetes? If you or someone you know has diabetes, what do they do to control it? If not, brainstorm on what you could do to control it or if possible reverse it?
   • In terms of sexually transmitted diseases, name one thing that was covered this week that was new to you.
   • What ways can you prevent infections or chronic illness? What are some ways you can reduce your exposure to environmental toxins?

Writing and Submission Requirements

• A minimum of 2 additional pages in length, not including title, references page (if necessary), and previous weeks’ journal entries.