Bone health and cancer
On this page:
Cancer and its many treatments can affect the bones in different way. Sometimes these treatments can weaken your bones, this can happen in different ways.
- Some anti-cancer treatments can cause bone loss and thinning
- Some cancers can spread to the bones (see bone metastasis section below)
- Cancer may affect bone building cells, which can weaken areas of bone
- Hormone therapies can reduce the levels of oestrogen and testosterone in the body. Lower levels of these hormones causes bone loss.
- Early menopause, caused by some cancer treatments can contribute to bone loss
- Long term steroid use has been known to reduce bone density over time
Not all cancer treatments cause bone loss.
When bones lose density, they are thinner and more fragile. These thinner bones are more vulnerable more likely to break, especially following a fall or a bump. People commonly experience joint pain or stiffness, especially if they are less activy.
Cancer and bone health workshop
We have developed a recorded workshop that provides information and guidance on supporting bone health following a cancer diagnosis.
LINK
Bone Metastasis
When cancer starts in one part of the body and spreads to the bones, it’s called a bone metastasis or secondary bone cancer. Even though the cancer is now in the bone, it’s still made up of the same kind of cells as the original cancer. For example, if someone has lung cancer and some of those lung cancer cells travel through the blood or lymphatic system and settle in a bone, the cancer in the bone is still made of lung cancer cells, not bone cancer cells.
Secondary bone cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
Secondary bone cancer booklet | Macmillan Cancer Support
What is Secondary Cancer? | Cancer Research UK – YouTube
Investigations you may have
Your healthcare team may recommend tests to understand your bone strength. One of these tests is a bone density scan or DEXA scan which measures how strong your bones are.
Secondary bone cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
What You Can Do to Protect Your Bones:
Additional information about this can be found in the Bone Health Workshop
- Stay active with gentle, weight-bearing exercises like walking or yoga. See Physical Activity for more information.
- Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, foods like dairy, leafy greens, and fortified cereals can help. The Nutrition page will provide more information.
- Talk to your doctor about bone-strengthening medications if needed.
- Prevent falls by keeping your home free of tripping hazards and using support aids like canes if necessary. The Falls page will provide more information.
- Managing bone pain. Pain is a common symptom, treatment can include medication, targeted treatments and conservative approaches. Speak to your healthcare team to understand what is the most appropriate way of managing your pain. The Pain pages will provide more information.
When to ask for help:
- Sudden, severe bone pain
- New pain in 1 or more areas that lasts for more than 2 weeks
- Pain that wakes you up from your sleep
- Pain in your back that moves or ‘shoots’ down your arms or legs#
- Unusual thirst or confusion
Cancer in the bones of your spine, can put pressure on the spinal cord. This is rare, but if you develop any of the following symptoms you should let your team know immediately
- Back or neck pain that may be mild at first but then becomes very severe
- Weakness of your arms or legs
- Change in sensation, including numbness or pins and needles, of your legs, hands, around your buttocks or anywhere else in your body
- Problems controlling your urine/pee or difficulty being able to pee
- Constipation or difficulty controlling your bowels