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Mind the gaps: missed opportunities to promote bone health among cancer survivors

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Abstract

Introduction

Many cancer treatments have a negative effect on bone health and can lead to osteoporosis. Additionally, the risk of osteoporosis during cancer survivorship may differ by racial and ethnic group. Overall, cancer survivors may be poorly informed about the risk of bone loss due to treatment.

Exercise prescription

Exercise can be prescribed to improve bone health and reduce risk of fracture. Women participating in the Improving Physical Activity After Cancer Treatment pilot study (IMPAACT) experienced significant improvements in bone health. The pilot work also suggests that cancer survivors of diverse racial/ethnic profiles may not fit the normal risk profile for osteoporosis and could be overlooked during screening.

In summary

The lack of awareness of poor bone health in cancer survivors needs to be addressed, especially for those who do not fit the normal osteoporosis risk profile. Exercise is a safe and effective part of a cancer survivorship plan and is useful in promoting bone health.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to sincerely thank the participants of the Loyola Marymount University IMPAACT study and the IMPAACT study research team (Silvie Grote, Stephanie Perez, Todd Shoepe, and Sarah Strand). We are also grateful to Danielle Good-Dawson and M. Derek Pugh for their consistent administrative and laboratory support of the IMPAACT study. Institutional support for the IMPAACT study was provided by the Seaver College of Science and Engineering, Loyola Marymount University.

Conflict of interest

The authors have full control over the primary data and agree to allow review of the data if requested by the Editors. Authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Human Sciences, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive MS 8160 North Hall 208, Los Angeles, CA, 90045, USA

    Hawley C. Almstedt

  2. Department of Health and Human Sciences, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive MS 8160 North Hall 211, Los Angeles, CA, 90045, USA

    Heather P. Tarleton

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  1. Hawley C. Almstedt
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  2. Heather P. Tarleton
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Correspondence to Hawley C. Almstedt.

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Almstedt, H.C., Tarleton, H.P. Mind the gaps: missed opportunities to promote bone health among cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 23, 611–614 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2497-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2497-4

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