Cancer Causing Bone Loss - What Cancer Treatment Affects Bone Density

Summary

This video explains the causes of bone density loss and osteoporosis, particularly in cancer patients. Kelly, a physical therapist specializing in oncology, discusses how treatments like aromatase inhibitors, androgen deprivation therapy, chemotherapy, oophorectomy surgery, and radiation therapy can all contribute to bone density loss. She highlights the importance of addressing bone health through diet, exercise, and physical therapy. Kelly encourages cancer patients to work with their doctors and physical therapists to create individualized programs that minimize side effects, reduce the risk of fractures, and support long-term bone health.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bone density loss can be caused directly by cancer or its treatments, particularly in cancers affecting hormones like breast or prostate cancer.
• 😀 Awareness of osteoporosis risks is crucial in lowering the chance of bone loss, which can lead to fractures.
• 😀 Aromatase inhibitors, used in postmenopausal women for breast cancer treatment, lower estrogen levels, increasing the risk of bone density loss.
• 😀 Androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer in men can lead to bone density loss, muscle mass decrease, increased fat, and heart disease.
• 😀 An oncology physical therapist can help create a personalized program to manage side effects of cancer treatments, including bone density loss.
• 😀 Chemotherapy can affect bone health by shutting down the ovaries and causing early menopause, leading to lower estrogen levels and reduced bone density.
• 😀 Oophorectomy surgery, which removes the ovaries, can also cause early menopause, lowering estrogen and impacting bone health in women.
• 😀 Radiation therapy can negatively affect bone health in the radiated area, leading to potential bone breakdown and increased fracture risk.
• 😀 Bone health management should be a continuous conversation with your doctor, who can help with medication to protect bones long-term.
• 😀 Diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices play a key role in preventing osteoporosis. Strength training, weight-bearing exercises, and balance training are essential.
• 😀 A proper diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein, along with regular check-ins with your doctor and dietitian, can help maintain bone health.

Q & A

What are the main causes of bone density loss in cancer patients?

Bone density loss in cancer patients can be caused directly by the cancer itself or by cancer treatments such as aromatase inhibitors, androgen deprivation therapy, chemotherapy, oophorectomy surgery, and radiation therapy.

How do aromatase inhibitors contribute to bone density loss?

Aromatase inhibitors lower estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, which can increase the risk of bone density loss and potentially lead to osteoporosis.

What is androgen deprivation therapy and how does it affect bone health?

Androgen deprivation therapy is used for prostate cancer in men and lowers hormone levels, which can lead to bone density loss, as well as decreased muscle mass, increased fat mass, and heart disease.

How can chemotherapy impact bone density?

Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause early menopause by shutting down the ovaries, leading to decreased estrogen levels, which in turn can reduce bone density and increase the risk of osteoporosis.

What effect does oophorectomy surgery have on bone density?

Oophorectomy surgery, which involves removing the ovaries, can cause early menopause and result in decreased estrogen levels, leading to bone density loss and a higher risk of osteoporosis.

How does radiation therapy contribute to bone health issues?

Radiation therapy can negatively affect bone health in the area being radiated, leading to issues such as radiation fibrosis and bone breakdown, which increases the risk of fractures.

Is bone health affected throughout the body by radiation therapy?

Bone health is typically only affected in the specific area that was radiated. For example, radiation to the head, neck, or chest will impact bones in those areas but not in the lower legs or other distant parts of the body.

What are some ways to prevent bone density loss during cancer treatment?

Preventing bone density loss involves maintaining a healthy diet with adequate calcium, vitamin D, and protein, as well as engaging in weight-bearing exercises, strength training, and balance training. Oncology physical therapy can also help manage bone health.

What role does physical therapy play in managing bone density loss?

Oncology physical therapy helps by creating individualized programs to minimize the side effects of cancer treatments, focusing on strength training, weight-bearing exercises, balance, posture, and stress reduction.

Why is it important to consult with a doctor about bone health during cancer treatment?

Consulting with a doctor is crucial for addressing bone health proactively, as they can recommend medications, lifestyle changes, and refer you to specialists, such as dietitians or physical therapists, to manage the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.