OSTEOPOROSIS IN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS

Arvind Kumar* and Usha Singh

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. The risk is particularly high in women aged 60 years and above. Because of their age, these women are already at increased risk for osteoporosis. Due to rising incidence of breast cancer and the improvement in long-term survival rates, bone health and fracture prevention have become important health issues among breast cancer survivors. To know about prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis in breast cancer survivor. A total no. of 34 patientswas included in this study, which were treated by multimodality approach including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy depending upon receptor status. All patients were followed up for a significant period of time. These patients were evaluated with questionnaire based survey, lab investigations, radiographs and DEXA test keeping in mind all possible etiology of osteoporosis. Out of 34 patients, 22 (64.7%) patients were diagnosed as having osteoporosis. 04 (11.7%) patients had osteopenia and 08(23.5%) patients were normal in DEXA test. Breast cancer and osteoporosis are common diseases especially in post-menopausal women. Three fourth of breast cancer patients has developed osteoporosis. Postmenopausal breast cancer patients are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis when received chemotherapy for breast cancer. Breast cancer patients are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis due to decreased estrogen either due to menopause or due to chemotherapeutic drug regime.

Keywords: Breast cancer, DEXA test, Osteoporosis, Osteopenia.