| -link"> | | | | cessation of ovarian function. These procedures |
| Many people don’t realize that there is a | | | | are done to slow breast cancer growth since |
| significant connection between the development | | | | some breast cancers are stimulated by estrogen. |
| of breast cancer and the subsequent | | | | As with chemotherapy, there is lowering of |
| development of osteoporosis. This article | | | | estrogen levels with loss of ovarian function. The |
| discusses the relationship. | | | | consequence is loss of bone mass. |
| Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease where bones | | | | - Other therapies can also cause bone loss. Newer |
| lose their mineral content (primarily calcium) and | | | | hormonal therapies using aromatase inhibitors |
| becomes more prone to fracture. Osteoporosis | | | | (anastorzole, letrozole, etc.) are used for |
| may cause fractures at any site but the most | | | | postmenopausal women with breast cancer. |
| common are the vertebrae (spine), hip, and wrist. | | | | Some evidence exists that these drugs also have |
| Both breast cancer as well as some of the | | | | the potential to cause bone loss. Other hormonal |
| treatments used against this disease may | | | | treatments such as leuprolide and goserelin can |
| increase the risk for osteoporosis. Here are a few | | | | stop ovarian function in premenopausal women, |
| of the reasons for the link between breast cancer | | | | leading to a reduction of estrogen production. This, |
| and osteoporosis: | | | | of course, then causes bone loss. |
| - The disease itself. Breast cancer causes an | | | | So what can be done in a situation like this to |
| increase in the activity of osteoclasts. These are | | | | prevent bone loss? Here are some tips: |
| the cells that remove old bone. If the rate of | | | | - Maintain an adequate amount of dietary calcium |
| removal exceeds the rate that new bone is | | | | (1,000 milligrams for premenopausal and 1,500 |
| made, then the end result is bone loss. | | | | milligrams for postmenopausal women), as well as |
| - Weight loss occurs as a result of the cancer. | | | | a daily dose of vitamin D between 400-800 |
| This leads to less gravitational stress on the | | | | international units. Sometimes higher doses are |
| skeleton. The stress of gravity actually helps | | | | required in patients who are vitamin D deficient. |
| maintain bone mass (that is why astronauts | | | | - Regular weight bearing exercise such as walking, |
| who’ve been in a weightless environment | | | | jogging, and climbing stairs. |
| will lose bone mass). | | | | - Strength training exercises for the arms and |
| - The treatment. Chemotherapeutic drugs (the | | | | upper body. Either lightweight dumbbells or other |
| most common ones being methotrexate, | | | | weight resistance devices will work. |
| 5-fluorouracil, and cyclophosphamide) shut down | | | | - Flexibility exercises such as stretching, yoga, |
| the function of the ovaries. Because the ovaries | | | | t’ai chi. |
| no longer produce estrogen, a condition of early | | | | - Discontinue cigarettes. |
| menopause is induced. Bone loss occurs because | | | | - Reduce alcohol intake. |
| estrogen is an important bone protective | | | | - Consult a physician specializing in osteoporosis. |
| hormone. | | | | They will probably want to evaluate your bone |
| - High doses of corticosteroids are also used in | | | | density and make certain suggestions. |
| many cases to treat breast cancer. Among the | | | | Medications designed to reduce bone loss also |
| side effects of steroids is bone loss. | | | | may be necessary. These include bisphosphonate |
| - Another treatment which is surgical removal of | | | | drugs (alendronate, risidronate, ibandronate) and |
| the ovaries (oophorectomy) also leads to loss of | | | | selective estrogen receptor modifiers (SERMS) |
| ovarian function. Radiation therapy is sometimes | | | | such as raloxifene. |
| given for breast cancer. This also can result in | | | | |