By Fay Ashland
New research findings by the University of Arizona show a link between a woman’s high bone mineral density and a greater likelihood of developing breast cancer. This factor is independent of the risk level predicted by using the popular Gail model. The Gail model utilizes family history, age and other factors to estimate a woman’s risk of breast cancer over five years and over her lifetime, but it does not include data on bone mineral density, which is known to be a risk factor for breast cancer.
Recently other studies have linked bone health and breast cancer risk in various ways. At the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting, a study was presented that showed how Zometa (zoledronic acid), a drug used to treat osteoporosis, lowered the risk of breast cancer recurrence in premenopausal women.Other research revealed that women with breast cancer who are deficient in vitamin D at the time of their diagnosis were more likely to have a recurrence or to die from their disease. Vitamin D is also vital to bone health.
Women with high bone density tend to be overweight or obese which does raise their risk of breast cancer.
According to Dr. Jay Brooks, Chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, “This is more information that shows a link in my opinion, between increasing weight, obesity and the development of breast cancer”.