BREAST CANCER AND PREVENTION OF OSTEOPOROSIS

Women who have had breast cancer may have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis as a result of chemotherapy. Breast cancer and prevention of osteoporosis can be addressed inexpensively with vitamins and minerals.

BREAST CANCER

A breast tumor itself can increase the bone-dissolving activity of the osteoclasts and cause an increase in the risk of osteoporosis.

CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin and methotrexate can prevent bone formation and cause a loss of bone density. Some chemotherapy agents can also cause early menopause. Women who go through menopause earlier than usual (around age 50) begin losing bone earlier and can develop osteoporosis at a younger age.

EARLY MENOPAUSE

Some chemotherapy used to treat breast cancer can cause the ovaries to stop making estrogen, bringing on menopause. The removal or irradiation of ovaries (used to slow breast cancer) can cause early menopause as well as rapid bone loss due to the sudden lowering of estrogen levels.

Hormonal therapies are sometimes used to prevent estrogen and progesterone from speeding up tumor growth. These include:

• Inactivation of the ovaries through radiation or removal by surgery can immediately bring about menopause and bone loss.

• Tamoxifen has been shown to decrease bone density in women who have not gone through menopause. However, women in menopause may experience an increase in bone density.

• Aromatase inhibitors (such as anastrozole, letrozole, or fulvestrant) are a new type of hormonal therapy used to treat women in menopause. Some studies suggest that these drugs result in a loss of bone density, although further research is needed to confirm this.

To learn about calcium and vitamin supplements that address breast cancer and prevention of osteoporosis...visit Osteoporosis Treatment Guidelines.


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