Breast cancer treatment and osteoporosis

Posted by jknows @jknows, Feb 24 8:06am

I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in February 2023. I received the Keynote 522 protocol that includes chemo, surgery and immunotherapy. I just had a repeat bone density test and discovered I have moved from osteopenia to osteoporosis. Is this a common outcome from BC treatment and if so how is the osteoporosis treated?

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@gegost1955

Reading your post in regard of Prolia - my oncologist said nothing about all the side effects when I get off it . I am taking Anastrozole but now have osteoporosis- that why I got two Prolia injections and am due for the third one in May.
Question is should I ask to get Tamoxifen for the bones?

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I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and I was reading about all the meds for it and trying to decide what to go on. Then wham I got 2 spinal compression fractures and the breast cancer diagnosis just about the same time. So that's why I was put on Tamoxifen which helps to build bone. It has a very very slight risk of blood clots and stroke which are scary but after having those spinal compression fractures which are very painful, it was the right one for me. Everyday I tell myself several times that "Tamoxifen is helping me, it's not harming me, and I am tolerating it well." I am a great believer in optimistic self talk and it has really helped me get through my health issues this past year. Sending love and healing wishes to all❤️

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I am taking fosomax 70mg every 7 days. I am taking anastrozole for the next 5-7 years. I have osteoporosis too.

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@sessioja

I have visited 5 different docs now all have insisted on biophophates Reclast being the most recommended The last endocrinologist said no to bone builders because I had radiation. Was that an absolute no for you? Did you not have radiation? Did you. have to go against his advice to use Tymloos?
I’m scared either way
jas

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I also have been recommended biophosphates first-Fosamax or Reclasr. Only one year into Letrozole for ILC and he just did several labs and cleared me for Fosamax. With my Chrohns he was concerned I may to go right to Reclasr which is just so tough on your system. I’ve caved in and worth fractures will occur. I’m 58 and thin build and will start Fosamax tomorrow and I’m very anxious too!

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Thanks for all shared experiences-it helps me to talk to my oncologist. … and yes currently I am lacking positive self talk. I am glad I found this page.

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@semurrey

I also have been recommended biophosphates first-Fosamax or Reclasr. Only one year into Letrozole for ILC and he just did several labs and cleared me for Fosamax. With my Chrohns he was concerned I may to go right to Reclasr which is just so tough on your system. I’ve caved in and worth fractures will occur. I’m 58 and thin build and will start Fosamax tomorrow and I’m very anxious too!

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Fodamax helped me fro
Osteoporosis to osteopenia. I take 5,000 vitamins and walk every day for a half hour I also take 1,500 mg if calcium. Talk to your doctor. Walking great for my head and worrying

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@ssmab

I'm sorry you have the osteoporosis Osteoporosis issue too. I had one TNBC stage 1a tumor and one ER+PR+ Her2- stage 1a tumor in the other breast diagnosed 12/22 at age 70. I had a low Ki67 or 5%. I also have osteoporosis. Went to Mayo Rochester for treatment. Double mastectomy, clear margins, no node involvement. No chemo, on Tamoxifen even tho I am way past menopause for the ER+ because Tamoxifen builds bone. I also receive Zometa infusions for the osteoporosis 2x a year for 3 years. The Mayo Oncologist told me that Zometa can help to avoid recurrence in breast cancer patients and that why they give Zometa. He said studies show that women who have had breast cancer and have been on Zometa have a higher 10 year survival rate. So I thought great! I'll take that. I am exercising, eating 7-9 fruits and vegs a day and avoiding alcohol and processed meats as I was told these things would help to avoid recurrence. That info is from the Breast Cancer Survivorship area at Mayo. Sending Love and healing wishes to you and all on this site❤️

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Hi! Did your doctor mention the exact higher rate of the 10 year survival? Thank you.

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@brighterdays

Hi! Did your doctor mention the exact higher rate of the 10 year survival? Thank you.

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Hi brighterdays, no I don't remember hearing an exact percentage but he said there was a benefit to avoid recurrence. I'll take any extra help I can get. I had to go on some type of med for osteoporosis. I know they do give Zometa infusions to people who have other types of cancer as part of their treatment. Maybe you can ask your Oncologist about Zometa.

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2/24. I’m wondering how old posts are on here because Prolia is being used and it was just announced that it was not a good medication to take anymore. I know last year in 11/23 I was told I could take Reclast infusion or Prolia or Fosamax. I opted for Fosamax but caused horrible stomach pains and bone pain so stopped it. Now I’m thinking of Zometa, will discuss with my primary.

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@patclem

2/24. I’m wondering how old posts are on here because Prolia is being used and it was just announced that it was not a good medication to take anymore. I know last year in 11/23 I was told I could take Reclast infusion or Prolia or Fosamax. I opted for Fosamax but caused horrible stomach pains and bone pain so stopped it. Now I’m thinking of Zometa, will discuss with my primary.

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I was prescribed one of the biophosphanates because I am borderline osteoporosis, but I did not take them and I'm glad I didn't, because I'm in the middle of a dental implant and that question was asked me by the oral surgeon and the dentist repeatedly before okaying me for the dental implant (which I needed because the #4 tooth, upper right, split below the gum line and had to be removed in pieces.

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@nanna1948

Fodamax helped me fro
Osteoporosis to osteopenia. I take 5,000 vitamins and walk every day for a half hour I also take 1,500 mg if calcium. Talk to your doctor. Walking great for my head and worrying

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Thanks for replying as so few on this site seem to start with Fosamax. I started yesterday and must admit very nervous about potential side effects but I do trust my endocrinologist. May I ask which supplements you take? I am very fair with skin cancer high risk and use lots of sunscreen (reside in Boston). I take 4000 IU vit D, 900 mg of Algae Calcium slim tabs, and daily vitamin from Pink Lotus as well as Magnesium Glycinate. Lots of walking and some weights but didn't seem to help as this Letrozole is so tough on bones. xoxox

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