The management of osteoporosis in breast cancer survivors

Breast cancer is a common diagnosis and the majority of women treated will be cured. Women with early stage breast cancer may be at increased risk for osteoporosis due to anticancer therapies. Chemotherapy induced amenorrhea and the use of anti-estrogens can promote bone loss; thus, the management of bone health in women with breast cancer is an important component of survivorship care. Osteoporosis is considered a “silent” disease as there are often no discrete warning signs, until a fracture occurs; therefore, clinicians must be cognizant of the underlying risk for osteoporosis and co-morbid conditions and/or medications that accelerate risk of fracture. Breast cancer therapies that effect bone, screening for bone loss and interventions to mitigate the treatment toxicities are reviewed.