Breast cancer and osteoporosis.
OBJECTIVE
Over the past few years, a number of studies have examined the relationship between breast cancer and osteoporosis, the effect of breast cancer treatment on bone health, and the effect of osteoporosis therapies on aromatase inhibitor-induced bone loss and breast cancer recurrence. New guidelines have been released on the prevention of osteoporotic fractures in women with breast cancer who are on aromatase inhibitors for adjuvant therapy.


RESULTS
Despite common factors linking high bone mineral density and increased risk of breast cancer, women with breast cancer are not protected from osteoporosis or osteoporotic fractures. Recent data suggest that aromatase inhibitors have a detrimental effect on bone mineral density and can increase the risk of fractures. Bisphosphonate therapy not only preserves aromatase inhibitor-induced bone loss, but may also improve disease-free survival and decrease risk of death in select women with breast cancer (i.e., postmenopausal women).


CONCLUSIONS
Osteoporosis and breast cancer are common in women, especially in postmenopausal women. Current guidelines suggest that we need to pay special attention to those on aromatase inhibitors to prevent adverse bone outcomes.
aWomen's Health Program bOsteoporosis Program cDepartment of Medicine dDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Angela M
AM
Cheung
Ruth
R
Heisey
Jeevitha
J
Srighanthan
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates