If You Have Osteoporosis

Unless you've already lost height, or developed a spinal or back problem, your osteoporosis may be invisible now. But this condition can be very serious and it may require aggressive medical management. It can affect your quality of life and overall health.

Here are some important steps to take:

• Together with your doctor, monitor your bone-strengthening treatment closely to see if it's working to build your bone strength
• Have a regular DEXA scan and other tests if needed to measure your rate of bone loss or positive response to treatment.
• Remember to take your bone-building medication and supplemental calcium and vitamin D, and eat calcium-rich foods. It's also critical to stay physically active and perform weight-bearing exercise.
• Make bone-smart lifestyle choices.
• Posture is your best bone friend. Whenever you catch yourself slouching, put your shoulders back and pull up your spine. If you can't see how you're slumping, catching yourself as you pass a mirror and try to correct your posture. A class in yoga, Pilates, or tai chi can help gain awareness of your spine's potential.

Osteoporosis and breast cancer treatment

You and your doctor will work together to choose the best breast cancer treatment for you. When you also have osteoporosis, protecting and building your bone strength becomes an important treatment issue.

Post-menopausal women with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer may start taking the hormonal therapy Arimidex (chemical name: anastrozole) or tamoxifen after initial treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) is over.

Tamoxifen gives you some bone protection. Arimidex can weaken the bones. If the benefits of Arimidex make it the right hormonal treatment for you, you can also take a bisphosphonate to build bone density.

If you were being treated for osteoporosis before being diagnosed with breast cancer, you may already be taking a bisphosphonate. Talk to your doctor about continuing your bone-strengthening medication while you go through breast cancer treatment.

This section was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from AstraZeneca.