Should I be nervous about bone density test?

I've had 2 so far and to my knowledge as being a low dose x ray, and reading my results, no where on there is there even a place for other incidental findings. I don't think you need to be nervous at all. Well, other than possibly getting diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Meds can cause bone loss (I had it) and my MO put me on Prolia after my DEXA and they did it her office. It did require pre-auth and she had to send something to the insurance for it. She also had me increase the calcium I take each day. I did that for about 2 years and after I stopped Femara I think I had one more Prolia shot and now have not had another at this point.

Of all the medical tests this is the easies one (DEXA).

Well, getting OFF the table can be painful😂😂

Spookiesmom and AliceBastable, you mean it's not just me?

Purplecat, when is your BMD test?

For a DEXA scan - truly there is no pain. Not even any discomfort. It takes only a few minutes. DEXA is a "type of X-ray that measures your bone mineral density and bone loss." And it's not done to see or diagnose cancer or mets - so no anxiety needed on that front.

It's to check for osteopenia or osteoporosis. We all lose bone density as we age. Unfortunately cancer treatments can accelerate that loss of density. There are a number of easy non-invasive treatments available and none of us wants to be sidelined with a broken hip.

Trust me - this is easier than a flu shot. Easier than getting a hair cut. Easier than making dinner.

Chiming in to say it's a real snoozer of a test. My DEXA scan looked at both hips and my spine so I had three values listed. But you do want to know about osteopenia or osteoporosis so that you can treat it.

I'm very athletic and eat super healthy and much to my surprise (and with no family history) I have osteoporosis. I've now had two bones break, one before that dx and one after. So yeah, my endocrinologist and I are being super aggressive with the treatment. As I told him, my number 1 goal is to be able to run without my bones breaking. I don't think that's an unreasonable goal.

PurpleCat, it is a new normal for us to worry for every test and scan we get once we are diagnosed with C. I feel the same way. From, I don't care about tests because I'm healthy to a "new me" on worry of what the test will find. I have learned that the radiologist will only talk to you about his part of the job, in this case your bone density. They don't check other things so rest assure that you won't hear anything unusual. If you are worried about bone density, there are so many treatments and supplements that can take care of it and you shouldn't worry about this part either. I requested my DEXA a month once I started Letrozole and 2 months in Lupron. My bone density came back normal. I wish yours too.

hello i get bone density scan yearly had one during and after treatments all was good didnt even see osteoporosis. Take deep breath and take care. msphil idc stage2 0\3 nodes 3 mo chemo before and after Lmast then got married we were planning at diagnosis. Then 7wks rads and then our honeymoon. Had reconstruction but body rejected it and expander removed just wear prothesis. .

Hi!

Just found this thread - I know it's rather old, but I'd like to ask a question.

I just had my second DEXA. The first was done in 2019 and showed Osteopenia. Now, three years later, I have Osteoperosis. I'm pretty upset, seeing that everything I've read says that Calcium and Vitamin D in pill form are ineffective so I haven't been taking anything.

Plus: I haven't had a bone scan or PET scan ever!

So now I have advocated for myself to have one done. Since my Breast Cancer diagnosis in 2009, I've been diagnosed with Bladder Cancer (completely by accident and with no symptoms) and a large pre-cancer in my colon!

Because of that, I'm pretty much always waiting for another shoe to drop and am completely paranoid about bone mets.

Any words of wisdom?

Tammy

comingtoterms, Just wanted to say hello from one multiple cancer person to another (or as I usually call it, the Cancer Crap Magnet Club). I get CT scans due to the kidney cancer I had, and twice those have led to a PET scan (and once a biopsy). I had one bone scan after the breast cancer and kidney cancer were found within a month of each other - I think my MO was being extra thorough just in case. But I don't think either of those are regular scans for low stage breast cancer - or my MO just isn't ordinarily into lots of scans. From what I've seen, progressing from osteopenia to osteoporosis isn't all that uncommon. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, my MO put me on vitamin D right away because mine was low-ish on the blood counts. Did you take any aromatose inhibitors after you had breast cancer? I think most doctors prescribe Prolia because they weaken bones. I'm curious what your doctor will say about getting the bone scan. Mine has implied that there's not a connection between cancer and bone strength, but I never asked for details. Good luck.

Thanks for your helpful responses, Ladies.

Neither my Primary nor my Onc have ever spoken to me about Calcium Supplements/Vit D. I'm not blaming anyone for that. It's simply a fact.

My Dexa scan was done through my Rheumatologist. And she ordered the Bone Scan for me because of ongoing lower back and knee pain.

Because of my other 'accidental' diagnosis, I readilyadmit to being paranoid!

I had never thought of seeing an Endocrinologist and wonder what support I can expect to receive from them.

Thank you!