begun to lose mass. Essentially, osteopenia is when a body does not rebuild new bone as quickly as it loses older bone. This state of weakened bones puts someone at higher risk for fracture or breaking a bone.
After your first fracture, you’re five times more likely to experience another fracture. It’s extra important for Breasties to monitor their bone health after breast cancer treatment so that they can intervene early and keep their bones as healthy as possible in the following ways:
- Bone loss can be lessened and may even be reversed with medications such as Xgeva, Prolia, and Zometa.
- Calcium (1,200 mg daily) and Vitamin D (1,000+ IU daily) supplements.
- A healthy diet balanced with fruits and vegetables. Try to make sure that your plate always has X colors on it at each meal.
- Exercise, such as walking, jogging, etc.
For more information about osteopenia and breast cancer, you can watch Love Your Bones live on BlackDoctor.org’s Facebook here.
Read more about Katrece Nolan’s story in her book, available here.
Written by Ricki Fairley and TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance