Bone Loss Is Common Among Young Breast Cancer Survivors

Young breast cancer survivors are more likely to develop osteopenia and osteoporosis than their cancer-free counterparts, according to findings from the BOSS study.

Previous research has shown osteoporosis is common among older breast cancer survivors. However, data are scarce on the incidence of osteopenia, an earlier indicator of bone loss, and osteoporosis in younger breast cancer survivors compared with women without cancer.

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The researchers examined bone loss of 211 women enrolled in the Clinical Cancer Genetics Program at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center from 2005 to 2013, and in 567 women who were cancer-free but who had a familial risk for breast cancer.

All participants were aged 18 years or older and had either a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, a documented BRCA1/2 mutation, a diagnosis of breast cancer at aged 40 years or younger without a family history of breast cancer, or a diagnosis of ovarian cancer at any age without a family history of ovarian cancer. 

Overall, 66% of survivors and 53% of women without breast cancer reported they underwent a bone density examination. During those examinations, 112 cases of osteopenia and/or osteoporosis were identified, 75% of which were osteopenia-only.

The survivors had a 68% greater risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis, compared with cancer-free women. The risk was even higher among recent survivors after only 2 years of follow-up.

A higher risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis was observed among women with estrogen receptor-positive tumors, and those treated with aromatase inhibitors alone or chemotherapy plus any hormone therapy, compared with women who were cancer-free.

Survivors diagnosed with breast cancer at 50-years-old or younger had a near twofold increased risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis compared with women who were cancer-free.

“Studies are needed to determine effective approaches to minimize bone loss in this population,” the researchers concluded.

—Colleen Murphy

Reference:

Ramin C, May BJ, Roden RBS, et al. Evaluation of osteopenia and osteoporosis in younger breast cancer survivors compared with cancer-free women: a prospective cohort study. Breast Cancer Res. 2018;20:134. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-018-1061-4.