The doc replies

What is pancreatitis? My mum has it and the doctor said it could be a permanent problem.

This is the term given to inflammation of the pancreas, a small organ located behind the stomach which helps with digestion and also produces insulin to absorb sugar. Chronic pancreatitis is a more serious condition where the pancreas has become damaged, usually permanently from inflammation over the years.

My husband had malaria more than 50 years ago, but I wondered if it could return.

If your husband’s malaria was treated then it is highly unlikely it would return after this many years. If he is at risk of further exposure to mosquitoes then there is obviously a risk that he could be reinfected. It’s important if you are travelling to these areas that carry malaria that you have proper protection.

I take an aspirin every day because I read it was good for general health. Is this still recommended?

Aspirin tends to come in and out of fashion. The current guideline is that if you have had a cardiac event such as a heart attack or suffer from angina or have had problems with stroke or transient ischaemic attacks, then a daily small dose of aspirin is beneficial. However, it can cause problems with the stomach so I would not recommend it for general health.

I eat a lot of smoked fish and ham. Is there any danger in these?

Smoked food often has high salt content and may contain substances that have been linked to certain types of cancer. Eating these products in moderation is unlikely to cause you any harm, though.