MD Anderson on BC treatment and osteoporosis

ICanDoThis

Remarkable improvements in cancer treatments have allowed patients — even those with metastatic disease — to live longer.

New targeted therapies like aromatase inhibitors and androgen deprivation agents are highly effective. Often used as adjuvant measures (to prevent recurrence), they’ve improved outcomes for breast and prostate cancer patients and generally have few side effects.

But one of those side effects worries Beatrice Edwards, M.D., associate professor in General Internal Medicine.



http://www.mdanderson.org/publications/network/issues/2013-summer/no-bones-about-it-stay-aware-of-risks-from-targeted-treatments.html?utm_source=Bronto+at+MD+Anderson&utm_medium=email&utm_term=GO&utm_content=thartenbower1@yahoo.com&utm_campaign=Redline+October+2013

peggy_j

Thanks for posting. Interesting to see their clear statement about tamoxifen in pre-meno women (my MO still claims that tamox builds bone in pre-meno women):

"With tamoxifen, the issue is more complicated. A selective estrogen receptor modulator (or SERM), it has different effects on a woman’s bones depending on her menopausal status. A 2006 study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that tamoxifen was associated with bone loss in premenopausal patients, but not in those who are postmenopausal. In fact, tamoxifen reduced the risk of osteoporotic fractures in these women."

Their first recommendation is to eat more protein (and calcium-rich foods). This is the first time I remember seeing protein listed as a recommendation. Has anyone else seen this? I was vegetarian but have added in fish. Maybe I should watch my protein more carefully. Thoughts?

Jaydee

So pleased to have completed my treatment with Arimidex after being diagnosed 6 yrs ago. I had some degree of bone thinning and have been taking calceos tabs. Have been told to continue with these and wonder how long others continue after stopping Arimidex.