Everyone has questions concerning cancer and Michael Sherman, medical director for Contra Costa Oncology, would like to answer yours. Contra Costa Oncology has offices in Walnut Creek, Concord, San Ramon and Rossmoor.  If you have questions for Dr. Sherman, e-mail Donna Lynn Rhodes or Martha Ross, editor of Walnut Creek Patch, at martha@patch.com. 

Q:  How did my brother get lung cancer if he never smoked?

A: Not all lung cancers are smoking-related and can be a result of genetics or the environment. While carcinogens such as tobacco can damage your DNA –-or library of cells –- from what doctors can determine, most often they just randomly destroy it. And because some cancers are associated with an inherited gene, it's important to discuss your family's health history with your primary care physician so he or she can determine if genetic testing and screening is necessary.

Q:  I live near a lot of power lines. am I more at risk for cancer?

A: As cancer specialists, we are asked this question all the time. There are many environmental factors that can cause cancer and studies are conducted continually to determine if there is a link connecting different types of cancer to certain countries or geographical regions. At one time, power lines were considered a possible cause of cancer, but no studies have shown a clear correlation. Now, if you're smoking cigarettes under those power lines, that's a different story.