Cancer Osteoporosis Osteopenia

Cancer Osteoporosis, Osteopenia. Sometimes cancer spreads to the bone. When this happens it  is called 'bone metastasis' and their  treatment for such metastasis becomes another part of the overall treatment plan.

But other patients whose cancer does not metastasize to the bone, those whose cancer goes into remission do not expect to find themselves with a cancer osteoporosis or osteopenic condition. But it happens.

Patients often do not realize that bone loss might be a side effect of their cancer treatment. Unless health care providers warn patients that their cancer treatment can cause bone loss, these cancer survivors  feel blindsided by this new diagnosis and additional treatment.

Important bone facts for cancer survivors:

1. If you have been treated for cancer, many of the treatment therapies, including chemotherapy and corticosteroids, may have a negative effect on bone.

2. If you have been treated for breast or prostrate cancer, your treatment may have limited or eliminated hormones from circulating in your body. These hormones, estrogen and testosterone, are important regulators of bone building cells. So when your treatments is over, you may  find yourself with excessive bone loss.  More than one study has shown an increase risk after cancer therapy.  Here is one for breast cancer.

3. When you were  diagnosed with cancer, you and your health care providers focused on your beating your cancerous malignancy This was the most important task. After all, if your treatment was not effective, your health care providers knew that you would not be around to worry about any other health problems.

So in one sense, your cancer osteoporosis or osteopenia is really a side effect of your success. (Ironic isn't it.)

4. But now you need to do something about your bone loss. You need to starts soon - start before you start having fractures. After all, the data on hip fractures show that these  often lead to death within a year. You do not want to win the battle your health in one area but lose it in another!

So, if you have had cancer be sure that you get a dexa scan. If your physician did not order one already, do call and ask for one to be scheduled.

If you have receive a diagnosis of excessive bone loss after cancer.

There are a number of things to keep in mind when considering treatments for your bone loss.  Some one who has survived breast cancer, for example, is not likely to opt for the use of hormones to improve bone density.

Many physicians prescribe on one of the bisphosphonate drugs for their former cancer patients. See: Overview of Osteopenia, Osteoporosis medications.

But there are many Natural Osteoporosis, Osteopenia Treatments that have been proven effective and it is worth reading about this.  See: Natural Osteoporosis, Osteopenia Treatments

Also if you have been treated for breast cancer, you may want to read the pages about natural Strontium since this was used in the Mayo Clinic with their breast cancer patients as early as the 1950's. Go to: Cancer Osteoporosis? Strontium for Stronger Bones

Read about all the  Other Causes of Osteopenia, Osteoporosis