MY LIFE Matters - Spring 2022 - 7

KNOW YOUR F'S:
FACTS, FOOD, FITNESS & FOCUS
FACTS
✔ Bones are the most common site of metastasis
for breast cancer cells.
✔ While metastasis can happen in any
bone, the most common bones to get
metastases are the spine, pelvis, ribs,
and long bones in the arms and legs.
✔ Being postmenopausal, especially
having had early menopause, increases
your risk for developing osteoporosis
and is a contributing factor to increased
risk of bone health issues for breast
cancer patients, as reported by the
National Institutes of Health (NIH).
✔ Your bones play exceptionally critical
roles in your health. Your bones protect
your organs and help produce red blood
cells. Bones are considered structural
organs and keeping them healthy and
strong is necessary for daily activity.
✔ Feeling pain in your bones can result
from a combination of issues such as
cancer in the body, issues with one's
circulatory system, continued use, (metabolic)
bone disorders, virus, or fracture.
For example, lumps may appear due to
a bone fracture not healing correctly or
arising impromptu.
✔ You have choices: speak with your
doctor about bone health treatment
options for early stage and metastatic
breast cancer.
✔ A bone mineral density test (BMD) is
a SAFE AND PAINLESS procedure that
measures bone density. This can help
measure bone loss, osteoporosis, and
alert your medical team to areas of
concern.
MY LIFE MATTERS
SPRING 2022
7
✔ BMD tests are conducted to " measure bone mineral content and density. " The test can be
completed by utilizing " X-rays, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA), or a special
CT scan that uses computer software to determine bone density of the hip or spine. "
The DEXA scan is thought to be the scan that provides the most accurate results.
✔ Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and brittle. Those who have
osteoporosis are at a higher risk of developing bone fractures. Many factors affect osteoporosis
risk, including diet, exercise, and genetics.
✔ Hormone levels play a role in osteoporosis risk as well. Estrogen is one such hormone, and
higher levels have reduced bone breakdown. When estrogen levels decrease, the breakdown
of bones can increase. While some bone breakdown is normal and natural, too much
breakdown with insufficient rebuilding can result in osteoporosis and put you at a higher
risk for bone fractures.
✔ The breasts and the bones are both estrogen-sensitive organs. Therefore, more estrogen
exposure means less risk for osteoporosis. However, more estrogen in the blood may also
indicate an increased risk of breast cancer, specifically in women after menopause. Additionally,
higher lifetime exposure to estrogen may increase your risk for breast cancer.
✔ If you are diagnosed with bone metastases, both you and your healthcare team can take
small steps to support your bones.
✔ By learning your family health history and understanding risk factors, you can establish a
treatment plan to support bone health.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/bone-densitometry https://www.amgen.com/stories/2018/10/know-your-bones

MY LIFE Matters - Spring 2022

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