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← Return to Zometa infusions to help prevent bone loss from cancer treatments
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Zometa infusions to help prevent bone loss from cancer treatments
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Feb 2 6:23pm | Replies (179)Comment receiving replies
I had triple negative breast cancer stage 1, Nay 2021. I also have osteopenia in the hip and osteoporosis in the spine now.
I have a concern that any drug given to stimulate bone growth might also stimulate cancer cell growth and reoccurrence. Does anyone have these concerns also or information on the subject?
Replies to "I had triple negative breast cancer stage 1, Nay 2021. I also have osteopenia in the..."
@drummergirl
Reading this a year after you wrote it. My oncologist recommended medication to treat osteoporosis since I was taking an aromatase inhibitor and had a relatively high FRAX score (although DEXA indicated osteopenia). I had hoped to take an anabolic to build bone and then follow with a bisphosophonate but 2 of the endocrinologists I saw both said a firm NO to anabolics. Their concern is the one you raise: an anabolic might stimulate cancer cell growth as well as bone growth.
I'm not sure that is based on solid research but did not want to risk the anabolic.
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@drummergirl there was a black box warning on bone sarcomas with Forteo and Tymlos which as been lifted since not a single human has gotten bone cancer from these meds. I have been told that both bisphosphonates like Reclast and Fosamax, and Prolia, actually may have a protective effect. I don't know about Evenity but the only warning for that is cardiovascular. Reasonable question that I also asked about: I was actually most concerned about Prolia because it affects the immune system in some way that I don't totally understand! Docs thought that was also a reasonable question but there doesn't seem to be risk in any studies. I had a grade 3 stage 1 breast cancer and get your worries!