Why I Want to Study Medicine - Essay Example

As I grew older, I slowly gained exposure to more serious illnesses within my family that I came to find fascinating. Maybe it was because of my parent's influence as a child that I developed a keen interest in learning about illnesses, their causes, and treatment methods. Every time I would hear of a relative or friend who was sick, I would always be sure to pay that person a friendly visit while also making inquiries about the illness that I could take away with me and do further reading either in the library or the internet.

Pretty soon I was already well-versed in some of the more common illnesses and their treatments. Information that I gladly shared with the people around me. My parents were particularly proud of this interest that I had developed because they had hoped that I would pursue a career in the field of medicine. They encouraged my interests by buying me books and watching health documentaries with me. Never once making me feel like I was a nerd or weird for having such a passion for the study of illness and diseases.

Then, when I was in high school, my favorite aunt fell ill with breast cancer. Our family was in a tizzy trying to find the correct treatment for her. Our questions ranged from “Should it be a partial or full mastectomy?”, “Maybe radiation therapy will help?”, “Won't chemotherapy make her lose her hair?”, “What other treatment options are available?”. As the days wore on it seemed like we were all coming up with more questions rather than answers. Her doctor did his best to offer suggestions and explain how the treatments would work but somehow we all felt that something was still missing in the explanation.

It was after the partial mastectomy failed to prevent the spread of cancer that my relatives turned to me and asked me to do “what you do best”. Which in this case, was research on the latest treatments, drugs, and other treatment options that my aunt might be able to benefit from. Every week, we would get together at my aunt's home and read up on the literature that I printed out about new treatments and drugs being prescribed. The family meeting would always result in a new set of questions that could be asked of the oncologist on the case who in turn, would always be amazed at how well-versed and informed we were as a family when we spoke to her.

The self-education that I received during this period was astounding. I had managed to not only read up on the illness but also discuss with other cancer patients about their treatment plans. Always hoping that I would find that one cure that would help my aunt. But that was not to be the case. Even though my aunt eventually went into remission, her cancer returned with a vengeance years later. No amount of research on my part was able to help save her this time. Even the doctors regretted that the cutting-edge medication and treatments that were available to her just did not work.

After mourning the loss of my aunt, I decided that I had to do something to honor her memory and allow me to continue doing what I knew I could do best, to help promote a healthy lifestyle and the importance of health education. I started on this path without realizing it. Like my family members keep telling me, “You are our medical encyclopedia.” Little did I know that what I was doing as an act of love for my aunt was a way of helping me chart out my career path.