LEVEL 5

TUESDAY
Understanding Chemotherapy
There may be other diseases that are as dreaded and deadly as cancer. However,
cancer is probably the most infamous of all diseases right now. This is because no
effective and lasting cure has been developed for it, and it continues to claim many
peoples lives. Scientists have been working relentlessly to explore the best cure for
cancer. The only cures closest to a lasting one are chemotherapy and radiation
therapy. In many cases, oncologists advise their patients to undergo both
chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that utilizes drugs to destroy cancer cells.
Generally, it does three things depending on what stage the cancer is in. It destroys
cancer cells until they can no longer be detected in the human body. If the condition
is worse, it slows down the spread of cancer cells or destroys the ones that have
been transferred to other parts of the body. It also eases cancer symptoms that
cause pain, pressure, or discomfort. The frequency of treatment varies according to
the type and stage of cancer and how ones body responds to chemotherapy.
Patients can receive chemotherapy at a hospitals inpatient or outpatient unit, in
their doctors clinic, or in the comfort of their home. Chemotherapy can be
administered in various ways. It could be injected into patients muscles. Patients
can also apply them topically as a cream or take them orally as a pill, capsule, or
liquid. The drug can also be injected directly into the veins, artery, or peritoneal
cavity. Sometimes, chemotherapy is used before or after a surgery or radiation
therapy. With chemotherapy, radiation therapy and biological therapy work more
effectively. However, chemotherapy does not always work because of its
limitations. In some cases, cancer cells are resistant to chemotherapy.
Patients who receive chemotherapy may feel certain side effects that vary from one
person to another. Chemotherapy not only kills cancer cells but also healthy cells.
As a result, patients may experience a number of things such as hair loss. Fatigue is
the most common side effect. Some patients take a break from work because of
feeling nauseated or worn out after a therapy. Others feel fine and go back to work
shortly after. Other common side effects include gastrointestinal distress,
depression of the immune system, nausea, and vomiting.
Guide Questions:
1. What makes cancer one of the most dreaded diseases today?
2. How does chemotherapy cure cancer? How is it administered?
3. How effective is chemotherapy? What are its known side effects?
4. Do you know anyone who has had to go through chemotherapy? What
kind of support should be given to people undergoing chemotherapy?
5. What can governments do to expedite the process of finding a cure for
terminal diseases?

Vocabulary:
Infamous - famous for something considered bad:
Oncology - The branch of medicine that deals with tumors, including study of their
development, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Worn out - describes something which can no longer be used because it is so old or
because it has been damaged by continued use:

WEDNESDAY
The Bright Side of the Iran Nuclear Deal
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is an interim deal between Iran and
the UN Security Council's permanent members (P5+1), namely China, France,
Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America plus Germany, that
requires Iran to lessen its uranium deposits and centrifuges. The agreement
includes the assurance of lifting nuclear-related economic sanctions on Iran which
will allow economic and social development in Iran and its neighboring countries.
Prior to the agreement, Iran was isolated from international banking systems
because its revenues from oil and other products were severely affected by its
nuclear-related sanctions. The countrys economy was crippled by the UN Security
Council sanctions as well as the economic and financial embargoes imposed on
Iran's banks, insurance, investment, petrochemical, oil, gas, and automobile
industries by the United States and the European Union.
Because of these sanctions, the GDP of Iran significantly decreased which led to the
increase in the prices of basic commodities and the loss of employment for many
Iranians. However, through the new nuclear deal, it is predicted that Irans GDP may
increase by up to 10 percent in the next few years which will snowball into creating
better living conditions and opportunities for Iran and its citizens.
In terms of international relations, if Iran is able to live up to its end of the deal, then
foreign investors may bring back their trust and confidence in the country. This
would pave the way for more investments and business deals that will once again
be advantageous to Irans economy. Also, without the sanctions, Iran will be more
capable of funding its oil production. This would bring Iran back as a major playe
seer in the oil market as it is expected to produce 5 percent of the international
daily output of oil.
The benefits of the JCPOA are also believed to affect other countries positively. The
increased oil production of Iran will increase the supply in the market and lower
retail prices for consumers. Moreover, with business flourishing in Iran, neighboring
countries in the Middle East will also get international attention which may lead to a
more positive international view of the Middle East as a whole.
Guide Questions:

1. What are some of the terms included in the Joint Comprehensive Plan
of Action agreement between Iran and the P5+1?
2. What sanctions were lifted from iran? How would this affect their future
GDP?
3. How will the implementation of the JCPOA affect Irans international
relations?
4. In your opinion, is the JCPOA a fair deal for Iran? Why or why not?
5. Why should international organizations intervene in other nation's
nuclear programs? What might happen if they don't intervene?

Vocabulary:
Crippled - to cause serious damage to someone or something, making them weak
and ineffective:
Embargo - an order to temporarily stop something, especially trading or giving
information:
pave the way - If something paves the way for/to something else, it makes the other
thing possible:

THURSDAY
The Acceptability of Permanent Sterilization
Permanent sterilization is one kind of contraception that involves surgical or other
invasive procedures that would prevent individuals from having children. This
procedure is available for men and women. For men, the procedure is called a
vasectomy a permanent form of contraception wherein the vas deferens are
severed or tied to prevent sperm cells from moving. For women, it is called tubal
ligation a procedure wherein the fallopian tubes are clamped, tied, or cut to
prevent eggs from reaching the uterus for fertilization.
This kind of contraception is not widely accepted by society because of identified
pros and cons. It is even surrounded by controversy because some people consider
it immoral and unacceptable. They have identified several points that explain why
they are against permanent sterilization. Some of them are as follows:
First of all, permanent sterilization completely takes away the bodys ability to
reproduce. It can be irreversible, so there can be no way for people to change their
minds when the procedure is done. It is such a big commitment that one should not
decide to undertake in his or her lifetime.
Second, it is an invasive procedure that destroys a part of the body that is
functioning properly. It is irrational and immoral to remove a perfectly functional
body part just to prevent it from continuing to perform its purpose.

Third, it affects peoples self-esteem and confidence because the procedure takes
away something that physically defines masculinity and femininity. Being sterile
may pose risks of depression and other undesirable psychological problems in the
long run.
On the other hand, supporters of permanent sterilization rebut the statements
mentioned by opponents by identifying some of its positive points and advantages.
For these supporters, permanent sterilization is moral, acceptable, and even
recommended.
First, choosing to undergo permanent sterilization is a decision made by an
individual. It is a contraceptive method chosen from many other options, so that
decision should be respected. Besides, people will always have different preferences
and inclinations.
Second, permanent sterilization is a one-time procedure that requires minimal time
and effort. It is a procedure that has to be done in one day, and its effectiveness is
guaranteed to last a lifetime. It is a smart and practical choice to make, especially
for those who are sure that they no longer want to have children.
Lastly, permanent sterilization makes people more secured and comfortable
because they wont be worried about unexpected pregnancies. Compared to other
forms of contraception, permanent sterilization is the most effective one.
Guide Questions:
1. How is permanent sterilization performed on men? How about on
women?
2. Why do some people consider permanent sterilization as an
unacceptable method of contraception?
3. What makes permanent sterilization a recommended procedure for
some?
4. What is the most popular form of contraceptive in Korea? Which do you
think is the most ideal?
5. What different factors affect people's decision in choosing
contraceptives?

Vocabulary:
Invasive - invasive medical treatment involves putting something into the body or
cutting into the body:
Irreversible - not possible to change; impossible to return to a previous condition:
Rebut - to argue that a statement or claim is not true: