Cancer and Bone

Cancer patients face an increased risk for bone loss and fractures due to the direct effects of cancer on the skeleton and to the side effects that come with many cancer specific therapies. Cancer patients may also face issues with body posture and changes in muscle placement, making postural exercises an important component of recovery.

Before starting cancer treatment, women and men should have a bone mineral density (BMD) test. The results of the test serve as a baseline. When a BMD test is repeated in the future, it can be compared to the results of the baseline test to find out if there has been any loss of bone density. Osteoporosis medicines may help prevent further bone loss and reduce the risk of breaking a bone.

Other steps you take to protect your bones during cancer treatment include having a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables and getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Adults under age 50 need 1,000 mg of calcium and 400-800 IU of vitamin D every day. Adults age 50 and older need 1,200 mg of calcium and 800 – 1,000 IU of vitamin D every day.

Both weight-bearing exercises and muscle-strengthening exercises can benefit your bones. Examples of weight-bearing exercises are walking and playing tennis. Examples of muscle-strengthening exercises are lifting weights or using elastic exercise bands. Inactivity and lack of exercise contribute to bone loss. Smoking and drinking too much alcohol are also bad for your bones.

Why This Is Important

There are more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. This includes people who are undergoing treatment and people who have completed treatment. Most of them are women who have gone through menopause and would already be at risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Some treatments for breast cancer, however, increase the risk of fractures even more than natural menopause.

As breast cancer survival rates increase, and as survivors live longer, good bone health remains a vital part of maintaining quality of life. Preventing fractures will help survivors stay mobile and independent and able to enjoy the life they fought so hard to save.

Watch this recorded webinar to explore the connection between breast cancer and bone health. You will learn strategies to reduce your risk and how to talk with your health care providers about bone health. Watch here.

Breast Cancer Organizations:

Metastatic Cancer

Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body is called metastatic cancer. Breast and prostate cancer most commonly spread — or “metastasize” — to the bones. Nearly all types of cancer can spread to the bones, including lung, kidney, and thyroid cancers.

When cancer spreads to the bones, it is called bone metastases, or “bone mets.” The most common bones for bone metastases are the spine, skull, ribs, pelvis, and long bones in the arms and legs.

Metastatic cancer that has spread to the bones is not bone cancer. For example, breast cancer that has spread to the bones is still breast cancer, and it is treated with breast cancer medicines.

You might find out you have bone metastasis years after starting cancer treatment. On the other hand, if you have certain types of cancer, bone metastasis might be the first sign you have cancer.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer, and some treatments for prostate cancer, can impact men’s bone health in several ways. Bone health is important for your overall well-being during your cancer treatment and beyond. Be your own best advocate. Talk to your health care team about how treatment will affect your bones and what you can do to protect your bones.

Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer are 65 and older. That means they are at an age where their risk of bone loss and osteoporosis is increasing. By 70, men lose bone as fast as women that age.

Resources

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