Managing Bone Health in Breast Cancer

Objective: Osteoporosis is a common condition that can be caused or exacerbated by estrogen deficiency.

Methods: This narrative review will discuss optimizing bone health in the setting of adjuvant endocrine treatments for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and the current use of antiresorptive agents as adjuvant therapy and as bone modifying agents.

Results: Adjuvant endocrine treatments for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors) affect bone health. The exact effect depends on the agent used and the menopausal state of the woman. Antiresorptive medications for osteoporosis, bisphosphonates and denosumab, lower the risk of bone loss from aromatase inhibitors. Use of bisphosphonates as adjuvant treatment in breast cancer, regardless of hormone receptor status, is increasing because of benefits seen to cancer relapse and survival.

Conclusion: Optimizing bone health in women with breast cancer during and after cancer treatment is informed by an understanding of breast cancer treatment and its skeletal effect.