The health care industry comes with a slew of indecipherable names and words that ordinary individuals like you or me would never otherwise know if our classes did not force us to.  Pharmacology is one such word that many of us would not otherwise be aware of, although it has become increasingly vital for many of us to know the benefits that pharmacologists serve in our society.  Pharmacology is the study of drug action, differing greatly from the role that pharmacists fill; pharmacologists instead test the interactions that occur between living organisms and various chemicals, many times discovering a new biological drug that can help combat viruses. 

Without pharmacology, we would not be able to safely take any drugs, vaccines, or prescriptions because they would not be safely tested, nor would we know what we were putting in our bodies.  While pharmacists develop new drugs, pharmacologists ensure that these drugs will help us fight diseases without causing further harm to our bodies.  Surprisingly, pharmacologists existed as far back as the Middle Ages, although they experienced a kind of “dark ages” themselves after this point until the nineteenth century.  It was only in the mid-nineteenth century that we realized many drugs that doctors give us, need to be further researched before human ingestion. 

As a result, pharmacologists were again brought back to test the chemical reactions between various substances and observe the reactions of living organisms to these chemical compounds.  A field that was once empty opened up nearly overnight, and served to secure the health care industry in an uncertain era.  Since this point, pharmacologists have expanded their studies and help discover new compounds that can be mixed in order to fight more diseases than ever before.  This is especially helpful in the modern era, in which viruses seem to emerge nearly overnight.  Pharmacologists were involved in discovering an antidote for the H1N1 virus that swept the world within a few weeks, causing mass hysteria in many overcrowded cities.  Pharmacologists helped calm this fear by introducing a tentative vaccine relatively early on, and later developed a full fledged vaccine by the time flu season really took off.

While this was the first outbreak to occur in the past few years, it does not mean that we are safe from future diseases.  Pharmacologists have a larger role to play in our future in which we will grow ever closer to foreign nations.  While this closeness is a good thing for global politics, it means that it will be easier than ever to spread disease and viruses, although we will continue to be protected by the skill of pharmacologists.  Pharmacology means that we sleep better at night knowing there are individuals who fight viruses for us to ensure we won’t succumb to a simple flu compound. 

Every state board of pharmacy requires certain prerequisites from students hoping to enter a pharmacy program in the state and receive their license, including the number of hours they have earned, the number of years in the program, etc.  Louisiana is no different, although it does not require as extensive prerequisites as other states.  The state’s requirements include 15 hours of study, resulting in only one year, a lesser amount than many programs which require 2-4 years of study.  The state additionally requires three hours of “live” continuing education requirement hours or five non-live course hours.  Once again, this is different from most states which do not require “live” continuing education hours in pharmacy for licensure.  Finally, the state of Louisiana does not require any further requirements in HIV or medication safety, whereas other states typically require some background knowledge of these topics or a refresher course every few years.  Regardless of the requirements of other states, Louisi
ana determines its own source of requirements for pharmacy licensure and thus far has exhibited a program that attracts pharmacy programs from around the state.

Louisiana is one state that is in dire need of pharmacists and other medical specialists in general, with a rising population that exists underneath the poverty line and a higher emergence of the H1N1 virus.  Only last month, the state was able to secure a large batch of the vaccine that became available in Walgreens stores across the state.  This is one step in the pharmacy program that is constantly looking for ways to improve and to reach the masses within the state.  While the state has been ravaged by hurricanes over the past years, the spirit has not broken and the population continues to persevere despite all odds, producing a fierce pride of the state that is evident from a conversation with any native citizen.  While the pharmacy program in the state can only do so much to help the citizens of Louisiana, the requirements for licensure by the board of pharmacy is one step in the right direction for a state that is almost trying to prove itself to the nation. 

The pharmaceutical industry is constantly changing and evolving in order to bring the best medicine and vaccines to the people of the nation.  The state board of pharmacy in Louisiana is no different in this regard and strives to bring the best possible service to the citizens of the state as they continue to rebuild their coastal cities to become better than they ever were.
 

The eight pharmacy schools of California have made a name for themselves mostly because California has the most pharmacy schools over any other state.  Whether this is due to the large population of the state or simply because many pharmacy programs started out in the state, it is clear that students of California pharmacy schools pride themselves on their acceptance to the school.  Ohio is surprisingly the state with the second highest number of pharmacy schools (six), although California is still known for its research and ability to attract students from around the world. 

Ranging from the University of California to the new Touro University School of Pharmacy, it is clear that California is ever expanding in the pharmaceutical industry.  The eight pharmacy schools are as follows:
•    University of California School of Pharmacy
•    University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy
•    University of Southern California
•    Western University of Health Sciences
•    California Northstate College of Pharmacy
•    Touro University School of Pharmacy
•    Loma Linda University and the School of Pharmacy
•    University of California in San Diego – the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Touro University School of Pharmacy, California Northstate, and Loma Linda are the three newest pharmacy programs in the state and have exhibited the understanding that California nearly runs the pharmacy school industry in the country.  California Northstate College of Pharmacy emphasizes active learning, patient care, and research within their mission statement, and as a new pharmacy school, they have set about to expand the pharmaceutical industry through the amount of research in their program.  Setting a goal to advance the science of pharmacy, this school has already attracted a wide entering class and offers many opportunities within the pharmaceutical industry.

Touro University has a similar mission statement, as they strive to serve society through the programs in its pharmacy school as well as prepare its students for a future in the health care industry.  This pharmacy school prides itself on the small size of classes, especially compared with the large lecture-like classes of larger California schools.  Because Touro is a new school, it is still in the process of expanding its programs, and its student population will undoubtedly grow within the next few years, although its still in the beginning years of the program. 

Loma Linda is a little bit older than the other two schools, and had its first introductory class in 2002 although in an entirely different setting than most other pharmacy programs in California.  Loma Linda prides itself on educating its students in a 7th day advent Christian schedule, thereby allowing students of the like religious minds to come together in pharmacy school.  This program is four years as well although is the first such program to offer the degree in an Adventist setting. 
Regardless of whether you go with the older public schools throughout California, or try out one of the newer schools, chances are that as an incoming pharmacy school student, you will receive an exemplary education in the state of California. 

Earlier this month, Louisiana took precautions with the flu season upon them and shipped vaccinations for H1N1 throughout the state: more than 50 pharmacies in 31 parishes received the vaccination just in time for the winter months.  Louisiana has always been a state that is the hardest hit when diseases invade the country and federal programs have taken notice of this, indicating a shift in the structure of the vaccine’s release into the state. 

Walgreens locations in Louisiana began offering the vaccine to priority groups at the beginning of December in order to combat the rise of flu season later in the month.  Additionally, the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy authorized the release of the H1N1 vaccine into the many parishes so that they would not fall into an “at-risk” state later on in winter.   The board then teamed up with Walgreens to get the vaccine a speedy distribution to the parishes of Louisiana that were the highest priority and contained the most at-risk citizens. 

The inoculation effort of Louisiana has been followed by a number of states since the release of the vaccine.  The initiative which the board demonstrated by releasing the vaccine before the height of flu season is a telling sign of the preparedness and anxiety the state has, regarding the H1N1 virus.  The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy is only one of 50 boards that is in charge of the well-being of each state’s citizens and looks over the potential risks that may creep their way into the state.  The rise of H1N1 is one virus every state is currently looking at, and stock piles of the vaccines have run dry within many populous states around the country as worried parents and citizens have waited in lines for their vaccination shot (or spray). 

Many higher tiered pharmacy schools boast their extensive research facilities that help contribute to new discoveries in the drug industry every year.  While pharmaceutical companies are the main force of the pharmacy industry, pharmacy schools across the country attract students who are interested in the research process of pharmacy and contribute to discoveries in new beneficial drugs.

The process toward discovering and manufacturing a new drug is time consuming and requires millions to billions of dollars from the health care industry.  Therefore, pharmacy schools help lessen the burden by requiring their students to complete a certain amount of research hours which may result in a new discovery within the drug.  MIT is one school that has helped pharmaceutical companies by developing a pharmaceutical innovation program that adapts successful approaches toward the production of new drugs.  The health industry still has a lot to work out for itself in regards to the manufacture of expensive new drugs while still keeping costs low, which is where pharmacy schools come into the picture. 

Pharmacy schools can produce either students who want to work exclusively in a pharmacy or students who want to research into new drug developments and ways to quell disease symptoms.  With new viruses being discovered every year, the country (and world) are in need of as many researchers as we can get in order to discover new remedies for the illnesses that plague mankind.  While pharmacists only seem to mix chemicals together, they do much more than that and understand the science that brings these chemical compounds together.  The ability to use more resources to combat ongoing diseases such as HIV and H1N1 is important in a world where boundaries have fallen and globalization has taken over.  People are closer than ever to each other, which means diseases are more apt to be spread and can jump from continent to continent.

Pharmacy school is more than just research, but the fact that budding pharmacy students can help contribute to the battle against global diseases is vastly important in the long run and can prove to be a lasting indication of the power of pharmacy schools.  Pharmacy schools have greatly contributed to lessening the cost of drug manufacturing over the years and the next few years are bound to see the same trend continuing throughout pharmacy schools across the nation.  Attending pharmacy school therefore means contributing to a step in human history and can help many poverty stricken nations receive the drugs they need to maintain their battle against disease. 

U.S. News recently came out with a study of the best pharmacy schools ranked in 2008, focusing on expert opinions about the program quality and statistical indicators tat measure the quality of the school’s faculty, research, and students.  Every year, U.S. News conducts various rankings of professional graduate school programs, including pharmacy schools, which allows students to make an informed decision of the school that will best mold to their future goals. 

Rankings provide students a way to compare the many different choices for pharmacy schools that exist around the country.  However, U.S. News releases a disclaimer of sorts on their rankings list to ensure that students do not use their rankings to replace careful thought, and instead treat them as a tool to supplement to further research.  Since U.S. News ranks many other graduate degree programs, the magazine strives to offer their own assessment of the many degree programs so that students have the opportunity to take the rankings into account, as well as the way the programs are ranked.  Typically, the rankings involve an extensive four year process of gathering research and surveys from around the many campuses, additionally asking experts within the field to evaluate their peer programs. 

Within pharmacy schools, the rankings occur as a result of extensive research into students’ perspective of their quality of education.  Rankings are judged on a 5-point scale, ranging from 1 (‘marginal’) to 5 (‘outstanding’). Many times, the rankings only vary slightly over the years, possibly moving in position after a school funds a new degree program.  Furthermore, U.S. News in particular ranks many schools as tied with other schools, meaning that many times (as is seen within the pharmacy school rankings), five different schools hold the same number of rank, such as the six schools ranked number nine on the list.  Within schools that are tied, they are subsequently listed in alphabetical order. 
  

Thus far, the top 25 rankings as of April 2009 for 2008 are as follows:
1.    The University of California – San Francisco
2.    University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
3.    University of Minnesota
4.    University of Texas – Austin
5.    Ohio State University
5.    University of Kentucky
5.    University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
5.   University of Washington
9.   Purdue University
9.   University of Arizona
9.   University of Florida
9.   University of Illinois – Chicago
9.   University of Maryland – Baltimore
9.   University of Wisconsin – Madison
15. University of Southern California
16. University of Iowa
16. University of Tennessee Health Science Center
16. University of Utah
19. University of Kansas
19. University of Pittsburgh
21. University at Buffalo – SUNY
21. Virginia Commonwealth University
23. University of Colorado – Denver
24. Auburn University (Harrison)
24. Medical University of South Carolina
 

Pharmacy school has always drawn those students who have a desire to study chemical formulas and the like, landing them with a secure career choice.  Many pharmacy schools allow students to complete three years of undergraduate study and then transfer to a larger school which has a pharmacy program, thereby transferring their credits and allowing them a more reputable degree in the end.  However, pharmacy school requires a great deal of work from its students, and they become responsible for knowing complicated chemical compounds and which drugs are formed from each computation. 

Pharmacy school is one career choice which does not receive the respect it deserves.  Pharmacists have become a major part of the health care industry and are in charge of delivering patients the medication which can cure them of illnesses.  As a result, the recent health care reform has revolved around the sky-rocketing price of prescription medication, much of which has little to do with the pharmacists. However, pharmacists have recently carried much of the brunt of unhappy customers, although they have only continued their occupation in mixing various chemicals to produce medications.  The health care industry in general is what customers should be angry at, but it is much easier to yell at your neighborhood pharmacist for the high price of medication.

Despite all these recent revelations, pharmacy school has continued to be a profitable degree which is sure to land nearly every student a career within a pharmacy program.  The health care industry is one which has not been affected by the economy, and while pharmacists are somewhat excluded from the typical health care field of doctors and nurses, they are still a part of the field, if only at the end of treatment.  Regardless, there has been and will be a demand for skilled pharmacists who can work in Walgreens, CVS, and other pharmacy stores across the country.  Pharmacy school is no easy task for students, and usually involves two to three years of additional school which is grueling work in order to prepare students for pharmacy life.  The Doctor of Pharmacy degree is relatively new within the United States, and has only been in existence for the past three years, thereby allowing students to continue their pharmaceutical degree and gain the professional degree.  Pharmacy school has quickly become as demanding as medical school in some aspects but has yet to attain the notoriety associated with medical school.  However, pharmacy students should not lose hope, because regardless of the acclaim they may get, they too are helping save lives by their many prescriptions and new discoveries within the pharmacy community. 

By Tara Miller

Because there’s no cure for cancer yet, there’s also no surefire way to see it coming or blame the development of cancer on any specific lifestyle or diet choices. There are, however, studies that show how certain foods, habits and genetics can increase your chances of getting cancer. Read on for 101 easy ways to cut your cancer risk, just in case there is something you can do about it.

Habits to Break

Ditch these habits if you want to lengthen your life, improve your overall quality of life and reduce your cancer risk.

1. Smoking: Smoking is one of the most dangerous habits to continue if you are serious about your cancer risk. It can lead to lung cancer, throat cancer and more.
2. Drinking alcohol: Alcohol can increase your chances of developing ER+/PR+ breast cancer significantly. If you drink one to two drinks a day, your risk increases by 32%; three or more drinks a day increases your risk to up to 51%.
3. Sunbathing: While a few minutes of sunlight a day is actually good for you, regular sunbathing that leads to burns can lead to skin cancer.
4. Standing in front of the microwave: Doing it every once in a while probably isn’t too dangerous, but if you’re addicted to your microwave, take a few steps back and to the side to avoid DNA damage and cancer risk.
5. Laziness: Cancer.org maintains that "being overweight works in a variety of ways to increase cancer risk," and increasing your level of physical activity, even if you don’t lose a significant amount of weight, can reduce your chances of breast cancer and colon cancer.
6. Ignoring your age: While it’s important to remain active and avoid getting depressed about your age, you should also recognize that age is also a factor in increasing your risk of some cancers. Go for checkups more often and pay more attention to your body’s changes as you age.
7. Practice safe sex: Women can develop cervical cancer from the STD human papillomavirus, or HPV.

Diet

Your diet carries a lot of weight when it comes to reducing cancer risk. Remember that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially, is most important.

8. Fortified milk and OJ: Drinking milk and orange juice that has been fortified with vitamin D may reduce your chances of dying from colorectal or breast cancer.
9. Blueberries: Blueberries are powerful antioxidants and have even helped shrink tumors in babies.
10. Eat less red meat: Eat less red meat and less processed meat like sausage to reduce your cancer risk.
11. Broccoli: Broccoli and cauliflower contain sulforaphane, which is said to be as effective as anticancer drugs like taxol in stopping cancer cell division.
12. Flaxseed: Flaxseed and flaxseed oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which can cut colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer risk.
13. Avoid high doses of beta-carotene: Beta-carotene found in fruits and vegetables can be good for you, but consuming it in high doses can be harmful for those already at risk for lung cancer.
14. Whole grains: Whole grains are a good source of fiber, which may lower cholesterol and reduce cancer risk.
15. Mackerel: Mackerel is another good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
16. Grain products with folate: Getting enough folate can reduce your risk of developing colon, rectum and breast cancer.
17. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich in carotenoids, which can help minority women, especially Native American women, reduce their chances of getting cervical cancer.
18. Lower salt intake: Very high levels of salt in your diet may increase cancer risk.
19. Raw cabbage: Three servings of raw cabbage a month can reduce your chances of bladder cancer by 40% because of its source of isothiocyanates.
20. Tuna: Make yourself a tuna sandwich (on whole grain bread) to get omega-3 fatty acids and cut cancer risk.
21. Kale: Kale is a cruciferous vegetable that contains phytochemicals and can reduce cancer risk.
22. Strawberries: Strawberries are rich in the most effective kinds of flavonoids, which can help even smokers reduce their risk of lung cancer.
23. Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits contain biflavonoids, a phytochemical that helps cut cancer risk.
24. Anthocyanins: Anthocyanins are found in red and blue fruits and vegetables and help fight tumors.
25. Green and black tea: Green and black teas also have effective flavonoids that reduce cancer risk.

Tests and Check-ups

Find out what tests and check ups you need to catch cancer and risk factors early.

26. Pap test: Women at least 18 and up should get an annual pap test to check for cervical cancer.
27. Mole checks: Ask your doctor to check any new or changing moles. You can also give yourself a check for melanoma by reading this guide.
28. Self breast exams: Women should give themselves a breast exam between annual doctor’s visits.
29. HPV vaccine: Consider getting or encouraging your daughter to get the HPV vaccine, which can prevent HPV, one of the main causes of genital warts and cervical cancer.
30. BRCA-1 and BRCA-2: You may want to get tested to see if you have ovarian cancer genes if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
31. Prostate self-exam: Give yourself a routine prostate exam if you are under the age of 50 and don’t wait to get it done at the doctor every year.
32. Visit the doctor regularly: Visit the doctor at least once a year for a breast exam, pap test, prostate exam and other tests.
33. Prostate screening: Men, especially over the age of 50, should receive a professional prostate screening or exam at the doctor’s office.
34. Polyp tests: Polyp tests find colon and rectal cancer and are important for men and women over the age of 50 with an average cancer risk.
35. Risk Assessment: Use this guide from the National Cancer Institute to evaluate your cancer risk.
36. Endometrial/uterine cancer: Starting at the age of 35, women should get an annual screening if they are at high risk for non-polyposis colon cancer.

Cutting out Chemicals and Radiation

Chemicals and radiation can increase your chances of getting cancer, especially if you work in a harmful environment.

37. Cleaning supplies: Some cleaning supplies and air fresheners contain terpenes, which can react with ozone to produce harmful chemicals like formaldehyde.
38. Formaldehyde: Reduce your contact with formaldehyde, which has been acknowledged as a cancer-causing substance by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
39. Processed food: Diets high in processed meats and cheeses and bakery products can "speed growth of lung cancer tumors," reports ScienceDaily.com.
40. Try to cut back on CT scans and X-rays: If you’re constantly getting X-rays, talk to your doctor about how it affects your cancer risk, and find out if another procedure, like an ultrasound, can be conducted instead.
41. Ionizing radiation: Ionizing radiation is one cause of breast cancer and has been proven to increase risk in women who received radiation therapy to treat Hodgkin’s disease and teenagers who received large numbers of diagnostic x-ray exams to treat scoliosis and tuberculosis.
42. Diesel: Those who regularly breathe in diesel fumes may increase their chances of bladder cancer and lung cancer.

Fitness

Physical activity and a healthy physique are important to reducing cancer risk. Learn about smart fitness choices here.

43. Make a point to stay in shape: Keeping your weight down and preventing obesity can reduce your chance of developing esophageal cancer especially.
44. Keep track of calories: Find out how many calories you burn during a workout to make it easier to slim down and stay healthy.
45. Know how much you need to exercise: Here, the American Cancer Society reveals guidelines for how long adults and children need to exercise per day.
46. Get your kids involved: Help your kids prevent cancer early on by encouraging them to share in your active lifestyle.
47. Exercise after treatment: If you have already been treated for cancer and want to prevent it from returning, exercise and continue to eat right to reduce your chances of a relapse.
48. Yoga: If you’re not able to run or make it to a gym, try yoga for a good workout that doesn’t put too much strain on your body.
49. Take the stairs: Taking the stairs instead of the elevator is often recommended as an easy way to fit physical activity into your busy schedule.
50. Work out with friends: Socialize and stay motivated while you work out when you organize a group of friends to go on walks, take a dance class or play baseball.

Being Informed

Sometimes cutting your cancer risk means knowing how at-risk you are, due to your family history and symptoms. Check out these sites to learn more about cancer.

51. Know your family history: Use a tool like this one to organize your family medical history.
52. Know how to give yourself a breast exam: Make sure you’re giving yourself a proper breast exam and not taking any shortcuts.
53. American Cancer Society: Learn about the different types of cancer, treatments, symptoms and more on this site.
54. National Cancer Institute: Cancer.gov has a cancer drug dictionary, information about clinical trials, statistics, risk information, screening and testing information, and a lot more.
55. Cancer Health Center: WebMD’s Cancer Health Center is a great guide for learning about your risks, available options and treatments, and ability to prevent or reduce your chances of cancer.
56. New York Times Cancer: Stay on top of all the research studies and news related to cancer, cancer patients, the culture of cancer and more.
57. Medline Plus Cancer: This government site provides information on diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and more.
58. Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Visit this site to learn about breast cancer risk.

Environmental Factors and Tests

Find out if your environment–manmade or natural–is heightening your risk for cancer.

59. Radon: Radon-22 is a radioactive gas that is found indoors and outdoors but has a natural source. It can cause lung cancer but can be detected with home radon kits.
60. Asbestos: Breathing in asbestos can cause lung cancer, and your chances of getting cancer from asbestos increase if you smoke.
61. Arsenic: Arsenic, which is found in wood preservatives, animal hides, glass manufacturing, cigarettes and other products, can cause cancer if you are exposed to it in high doses.
62. Lead: It is still unknown whether or not lead causes cancer directly, but it has been linked to stomach and lung cancer. Metal workers, lead burners, pipe cutters, plumbers, battery makers and other workers who are exposed to lead products are at the greatest risk.
63. Tetrachlorethylene: Those who work in dry cleaners are exposed to this substance, also called perc, which can cause cancer.
64. Benzene: Benzene inhalation can result in a cancer risk and is especially dangerous for women firefighters.
65. PBDEs: PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are used as flame retardents and "have been identified as endocrine disruptors," according to Cornell and may act as estrogen disruptors, causing increased risk for breast cancer.

Going Organic

You don’t have to totally go organic to reduce your cancer risk, but growing your own vegetables and opting for cleaner materials and products in general is still a good way to avoid chemicals that could prove to be harmful in the future. Learn about going organic with these tips.

66. Grow your own organic vegetables: Learn how to plant organic seeds and grow your own safe vegetables with this guide.
67. Organic apples: The New York Times reports that "apples are…one of the most pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables," so buy these organic.
68. Organic skin care: Use organic body lotions, make up and sun screen to avoid putting chemicals directly onto your skin.
69. Organic Consumers Association: On this website, you’ll learn about all kinds of organic lifestyle issues and tips, including vitamins, clothes, raw food lifestyle and more.
70. Drink organic milk: By drinking organic milk, you’ll reduce your chances of consuming pesticides and antibiotics.
71. Organic cotton: Organic cotton is grown without pesticides or herbicides and is used for clothing, linens and more.
72. 10 Good Reasons to Go Organic: Learn about the other benefits of going organic, besides helping your health.
73. Organic baby items: Protect your babies and children from unnecessary chemicals by buying organic products for them.
74. Eat organic meat: Eating organic meat reduces your contact with pesticides, and supporting organic farmers reduces their exposure, too.

Daily Tips

From thoroughly washing your food to avoiding secondhand smoke, these daily habits can reduce cancer risk.

75. Wash food: Wash fruits and vegetables to remove any pesticides or harmful chemicals.
76. Exercise: Physical activity is a must when you need to lower your cancer risk, so make it a part of your daily routine.
77. Sleep at least seven hours a night: Sleeping for at least seven hours a night is especially critical for women who want to cut their cancer risk.
78. Breast-feed: Breast-feeding your children for six months can reduce your chances of developing low grade, slow-growing breast cancer by 20%.
79. Avoid secondhand smoke: Ask friends and relatives to refrain from smoking in your home or car, and try to sit in a non-smoking section of a restaurant if you possibly can.
80. Avoid talcum powder: Some studies indicate that there may be a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.
81. Monitor your environment: Be aware of second-hand smoke, sources of radiation and chemicals to decrease your daily risk.
82. Watch the news: Watch the news to learn about the newest cancer studies and treatments.
83. Limit alcohol intake: Limit your alcohol intake to just one drink per day to lower your cancer risk.
84. Eat more fruits and vegetables: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables keeps your weight down and feeds your body the antioxidants, carotenoids and other nutrients it needs.
85. Tune in to your body: The more tuned in you are to your body, the faster you’ll notice irregular symptoms and signs like changing moles or lumps.

Hormone Therapy

Consider the benefits and risks of hormone therapy here.

86. Tamoxifen: Tamoxifen can be used to reduce the return of cancer for women whose tumors test positive for estrogen.
87. Raloxifene: Raloxifene is another treatment that helps reduce breast cancer in high-risk women.
88. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer: Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can be used to stop the production of testosterone and androgens, reducing cancer risk.
89. Don’t use PHT: Hormone replacement therapy, or PHT, "definitely increases" your risk for developing breast cancer, according to Health.com. Use it only sparingly, if you must.
90. Anabolic steroids: Merck reports that long term use of anabolic steroids, which are used to increase physical performance, "may slightly increase the risk of liver and prostate cancer."

Miscellaneous Guides and Advice

Read these guides for even more easy ways to cut your cancer risk.

91. What to eat to lower cancer risk: MSNBC’s report stresses the importance of "veggies, fiber, vitamin D and calcium to prevent disease."
92. Exercise plus sleep may lower cancer risk in women: Read CNN’s guide to learn about a study that claims sleep and exercise can reduce cancer risk.
93. Limit alcohol to lower cancer risk: This guide encourages you to exercise, stop smoking, eat more fruits and vegetables, and reduce alcohol consumption to lower cancer risk.
94. How to Lower Your Cancer Risk: These tips include "see your doctor," "be physically active," and understand that "33 percent of all cancers are related to diet and physical activity issues," as reported by The American Cancer Society.
95. Coffee could lower cancer risk: This Japanese study found that drinking coffee may lower the risk of developing oral cancer.
96. Antioxidants don’t cut cancer risk, study finds: Read this report to find out that antioxidant supplements may not make a difference in preventing cancer.
97. What are the risk factors for breast cancer: Better understand your risk of developing breast cancer when you read this guide.
98. Vitamin D can lower cancer risk: This study recently came out and claims that a healthy does of Vitamin D, even from the sunlight, is beneficial.
99. Lowering risk for people with a personal history: BreastCancer.org gives hope to those with a family history of breast cancer.
100. Common Questions About Diet and Cancer: Cancer.gov’s info page answers your questions about how certain foods help prevent cancer.
101. Migraines lower cancer risk: This surprising study may be the silver lining for regular migraine sufferers.

Online pharmacy school has become a new method to introduce online students to a new option for further study.  Since pharmacy school no longer offers a bachelor degree, the program is a bit more time consuming than normal degrees, although it now allows students to study in online classrooms rather than travel to a commuter school or move across the country to attend classes.

Online pharmacy schools actually involve a higher degree of study since the students need to have the skills necessary to learn on their own through hands-on methods.  Traditional schools allow students to train with a professor in person, but online schools require the student to practice independently, therefore making them less reliant on a superior.  While this may seem to be a challenging undertaking, many disciplines now offer online degree programs and technology has allowed nearly every subject to be taught via the internet through audio and video. 

Most pharmacy students in general have achieved a previous bachelor’s degree or have at least three years of college experience, making them more self-sufficient and responsible with this type of “do-it-yourself” homework.  Additionally, pharmacy students have committed themselves to this particular field, which makes the learning process much easier than if they were simply attaining a first degree to find any type of job. 

Creighton is currently the only entry-level online program that is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education and sets them apart from other online pharmacy schools.  This school additionally offers a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, which is unique to the online community, and is a growing degree within the pharmacy industry in general.  Other schools offer programs for students who are still unsure about a full commitment to pharmacy school and instead enroll in a pharmacy technician program.  This program offers students the opportunity to take a peek into the pharmacy world to determine if this is the path they want to take, without fully committing to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  Additionally, pharmacy technician certificates give graduates the knowledge and skills necessary to break into the pharmacy world and gain valuable experience. 

The University of Florida offers online programs for students as well, including a non-traditional PharmD program for working pharmacists, allowing them to attain higher degrees while keeping their current pharmacy job.  PCDI and Penn Foster Career School both offer pharmacy technician programs, which appear to be a growing niche within the pharmacy community.  Comparable to medical coding degrees which offer students the opportunity to peek into the medical community, this certificate in turn allows students to peek into the pharmacy community.  Sometimes this is all students need to determine if they want to continue on their pharmacy school course or seek an alternative degree.  Without wasting too much time or money, this popular online degree gives students a chance to view first-hand the benefits of pharmacy school.

Online education is becoming increasingly common throughout the college world as more traditional schools have begun to offer classes online.  Online school is still a wary subject within the educational community, but its students know the work and dedication that goes into earning an online degree, as well as the focus and determination it takes to complete assignments online. 

Much has been written about genetics, especially online. There are a variety of blogs that deal with genetics, writing about biotechnology, evolution, pharmaceuticals, health, and more. Here we’ll take a look at 50 of the best blogs that deal with these topics and more.

General

These blogs cover anything and everything genetics.

1. MayoClinic Genetics Blog: Genetic counselor Carrie Zabel shares her knowledge on genetics through this blog.
2. Science blog + Genetics: This blogs offers insight and regular news updates in the field of genetics.
3. Gene Expression: Discussions on the Gene Expression blog include culture, religion, anthropology, and biology.
4. Mary Meets Dolly: Mary Meets Dolly offers a Catholic’s guide to genetics, genetic engineering, and biotechnology.
5. The Genetic Genealogist: This blog explores the intersection of genealogical techniques and modern genetic research.
6. Eye on DNA: Eye on DNA writes about anything and everything DNA, and how it relates to you.
7. Genetic Future: Read this blog to learn how genes affect your future and the future of society.
8. Information on Genes: This blog features answers to questions on genes, genetics, and genomics from experts.

Health

If you’re interested in how genetics can affect and be used in health, check out these blogs.

9. Genetics and Health: Grace Ibay’s blog is all about your genes and your life.
10. The Decision Tree: This blogger writes about predictive medicine and the future of healthcare.
11. MassGenomics: MassGenomics is all about medical genomics in the post-genome era.
12. DNA And You: Matt Mealiffe, M.D. discusses the intersection of genetics and your health.
13. PredictER: PredictER shares news and research about predictive health.

Biotechnology & Bioinformatics

These blogs deal with bioinformatics and biotechnology.

14. Think Gene: ThinkGene is a bio blog about genetics, genomics, and biotechnology.
15. Snowdeal: On this blog, you’ll find discussions of bioinformatics in the 21st century.
16. Omics! Omics!: Get an understanding of new technologies and publications on genomics and proteomics and their impact on drug discovery from this blog.
17. My Biotech Life: This blogger offers his take on biotechnology.
18. Aminopop: Aminopop writes about what’s fun in biotech.

Disorders

Understand some genetic disorders by checking out the writings of these bloggers.

19. Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Genetics Blog: This blog writes about genetics as they relate to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
20. Cancer Genetics: Check out this blog to learn about a personalized approach to human cancer genetics.

Evolution

These blogs discuss genetics as it relates to evolution.

21. John Hawks Weblog: John Hawks writes this blog about paleoanthropology, genetics, and evolution.
22. Genomics, Evolution, and Pseudoscience: Steven Salzberg’s blog discusses topics in pseudoscience and beyond.
23. Yann Klimentidis’ Weblog: Yann writes about evolution, genetics, human diversity, and more.

Academic

These genetics blogs are written by professors and students of genetics.

24. ScienceRoll: ScienceRoll features a medical student studying genetics and medicine through web 2.0.
25. Genome Boy: This blogger is an assistant professor at the Duke University Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy.
26. Genomics Policy: Genomics Policy from the University of Glamorgan offers insight on genomic-based medicine.
27. Genomicron: Check out this blog to learn about genomic diversity and evolution from an evolutionary biologist at the University of Guelph in Canada.
28. Sex, Genes, and Evolution: This blogger is a molecular evolutionary biologist and biology professor at the University of Iowa.
29. On Genetics: Steve Mount, a geneticist at the University of Maryland, writes about genetics, genomics, and gene expression.

Personal Genetics

Learn more about the field of personal genetics from these blogs.

30. The Genetizen: The Genetizen is written by experts to inform you about important issues in genetics.
31. deCODEyou: On this blog you’ll learn about the latest in health, genetics, and genetic testing.
32. The Gene Sherpa: The Gene Sherpa discusses how personalized medicine relates to you.
33. Let’s Get Personal: This blog discusses science, policy, and ethics in personalized medicine.
34. The Personal Genome: This blog explores genetics as a medical tool and lifestyle choice.

Food

These blogs explore genetically modified food.

35. Tomorrow’s Table: Tomorrow’s Table shares topics related to genetics, food, and farming.
36. Biofortified: Biofortified is a group blog about plant genetics and genetic engineering.
37. GMObelus: GMObelus delivers peer-reviewed news in the field of agricultural biotechnology.
38. GMO Pundit: David Tribe writes this blog to encourage Australian primary producers to understand GMO.
39. The Fruit Blog: Check out this blog for a discussion of fruit and fruit breeding.
40. Genetic Maize: Genetic Maize navigates the maze of GMOs.
41. GMO Africa: Here you’ll find news and more on the benefits of genetically modified food in Africa.

News

Stay on top of the latest news in genetics through these blogs.

42. Genetics in the News: The Oregon Genetics Program features updates on new developments in genetics.
43. GenomeAlberta: This blog shares research and news in genomics.
44. Epigenetics News: Epigenetics News is an independent news source for scientific discoveries in epigenetics.
45. The Daily Scan: This blog from GenomeWeb points out what’s worth reading on the web.
46. The OpenHelix Blog: OpenHelix is all about genomics resources, news, and research designed to keep researchers abreast of new genomics data.
47. Flags and Lollipops: This blog is about news in bioinformatics, genomics, and science on the web.
48. The Biotech Weblog: Here you’ll find news about gene therapy, stem cells, and more.
49. The Navigator: This blog from Navigenics shares new insights about genetics and your health.
50. DNA Policy: Check out this blog to find out the latest news on genetics public policy.