The relationship between breast cancer and bone health (page 2). ? The risk … Decreasing the chance of breast cancer spreading to bone (page 3). ? Finding …

Contents

This publication includes important information about the relationship between breast cancer and bone health:

? The relationship between breast cancer and bone health (page 2).
? The risk of breast cancer returning and where (page 2).
? Decreasing the chance of breast cancer spreading to bone (page 3).
? Finding out if breast cancer has spread to bone (page 3).
? Problems caused by breast cancer in bone (page 4).
? Treating breast cancer that has spread to bone (page 5).
? Treatment-related side effects (page 6).
? Preventing and treating bone loss in people with breast cancer (page 8).
? Health care professionals who can help (page 9).
? Glossary (page 10).

The Relationship Between Breast Cancer and Bone Health

1. Q: How can breast cancer affect bone health?

A: Breast cancer can affect bone in two ways:

? Breast cancer can spread (metastasize) to bone.
? Breast cancer treatment can cause rapid bone loss.

The Risk of Breast Cancer Returning and Where

2. Q: How often does breast cancer that has been treated return?

A: The chance of breast cancer returning depends on the type of breast cancer and how it was treated.

Women with early stage breast cancer who are treated with surgery alone are at risk of having their cancer return, even 15 to 20 years later. The chance of this happening depends on:

? The size of the original tumor.
? Whether the original tumor had spread to local lymph nodes.
? The characteristics of the tissue that made up the tumor.

The risk of breast cancer returning may be lowered by hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy.

3. Q: If breast cancer returns, where is it found?

A: Breast cancer may return to the breast area or spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. This happens when tumor cells from the original cancer break off and travel through the blood stream to a new location, where they grow and multiply.

If breast cancer returns, it often spreads to the bones. For example, approximately 18 to 20 percent of women diagnosed with early breast cancer will have their cancer return within 10 years of diagnosis. Among these women, 70 percent have cancer that has spread to their bones. Breast cancer can also spread to other organs such as the lungs, liver, or brain.

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