Osteoporosis and Cancer

Breast cancer is of special interest here because it disproportionately affects women, as does osteoporosis.  Indeed, breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer today, and although it has a relatively good survival rate, even survivors find their lives changed as a consequence of their illness.  That includes an increased risk for bone fracture.  Breast cancer patients are usually given drugs to suppress estrogen levels (which are thought to promote the cancer).  The lower estrogen makes osteoporosis more likely.  Chemotherapy drugs given to combat the cancer may damage the ovaries or even directly affect bones as a side effect.

The effect of the widely used osteoporosis drug class called bisphosphonates is not clear.  There have long been thoughts that the drug may contribute to a risk of esophageal cancer – irritation of the esosphogus is certainly a side effect.  But there are also weak indications that these drugs may help fight breast cancer.

The drug Forteo (teriparatide) has been shown to increase the odds of bone cancer in laboratory animals.  The authorities figure the risk is low enough that they approved the drug for human use, although it is generally not given to those with a history of osteosarcoma. Men who have prostate cancer and get hormone therapy to prevent it from coming back are at high risk for osteoporosis, too.

Calcitonin seems to have an effect on prostate gland growth and may be considered a risk factor for cancer of the prostate. Calcitonin is used as a marker for a type of thyroid cancer called Medullary cancer although that is because calcitonin is produced in the thryoid.

The broad class of drugs called selective estrogren receptor modulators has a lot to do with both osteoporosis and cancer. These drugs stimulate or inhibit estrogen receptors in the body and are used to treat and prevent gynecological cancers. They Some of them also increase the chances of cancer formation. The SERMs used for osteoporosis treatment are selected to build bone, and they somewhat simulate estogren in some ways. Raloxifene, first used for breast cancer, is now also used to stop osteoporosis.

Diabetes