One of the physicians you work with is conducting an IRB-approved research study on a specific patient population: women between the ages of 25 and 40 who smoke at least one cigarette per day, who do not have a family history of cancer. He has asked for your assistance in identifying and screening potential participants, by asking screening questions when patients check-in for the regular appointments. While conducting the screening questions, a patient asks you the following question:

My family doesn't know that I smoke. How can I be sure my participation in this study won't become public knowledge, especially if the research is published?

Provide your response to the patient, using legal and ethical concepts as the foundation of your answer.