Dear HealthSmart,

I’ve never smoked cigarettes, but I worry that from all the second-hand smoke I’m around I’m at risk. What are the risk factors for developing lung cancer if you’re a non-smoker?

HealthSmart spoke with Dr. Barbara Gilitz, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, and Steven Young, Director of the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute. Here’s their response:

It’s important that we do away with the assumption that a person has to smoke in order to develop lung cancer. In fact, a person doesn’t even necessarily have to be exposed to second hand smoke in order to develop lung cancer. Lung cancer in non-smokers is a major leading cause of death on its own rise, with an estimated 10-15% of lung cancer patients being non-smokers. There are links between second hand smoke, radon exposure, and air pollution, but it is difficult to make direct correlations. Although extremely rare, there are studies emerging that the T709M gene mutation in a receptor called the epidermal growth factor receptor may be a factor. However, it’s estimated that only .5% of lung cancer cases in the US can be attributed to the presence of this mutation. Additionally, the majority of non-smoker lung cancer patients are women.

Dear HealthSmart,

In my part of the country lots of people get Lyme disease. I love to go hiking but worry about tick bites causing this mysterious illness. Would you please tell me more about its causes?

HealthSmart asked Dr. Anthony D’Onofrio, PhD, Director of Research and Operations, Antimicrobial Discovery Center at Northeastern University. Here’s his response:

As a hiker, you’re smart to inform yourself about Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread through the bite of blacklegged ticks. In many cases, Lyme disease infections are recognizable and—in the early stages–most physicians can spot and treat it effectively with antibiotics. Telltale signs include a bulls-eye pattern rash along with migraines. But if people don’t know they’ve been bitten by a tick and the disease goes untreated in the early stages, serious complications can develop involving the joints, heart and nervous system.

Dear HealthSmart,

Does every hospital have a specialized stroke center? How can I go about finding the best stroke center for my loved one?

HealthSmart asked Dr. Erol Veznedaroglu, M.D., Director of Neurosciences Institute at Drexel University. Here’s his response:

Unfortunately, many hospitals claim they have a specialized stroke center when this is not the case. A center must have experts on call who treat stroke, have the appropriate equipment, and have data showing measures of their treatment and success rates. There is a false assumption that only the big academic centers can do a good job at treating stroke, when in reality some community centers do just as good of a job, if not better. The Joint Commission for Healthcare does certify specialized centers, but I recommend patients of family member seeking top notch care also ask the center about their experts, equipment, and track record.

Do you have questions on health or wellness you’d like answered by the nation’s leading medical researchers? If so, you can send to Editor@WashNews.com. HealthSmart is a national newspaper column from the Washington News Service in DC. Due to demand, we are unable to reply to all inquiries. Responses through the column are no substitute for care from physicians or other medical professionals.

Copyright Ellen James Martin 2021