When Christine Ryan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, she focused on getting well, with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, Herceptin infusions every three weeks and a five-year course of Letrozol.
‘Prior to treatment for breast cancer, my only other health issues were a hiatus hernia and a fracture from a foot injury in 2011.’
As part of her breast cancer treatment, in early 2016 Christine’s oncologist referred her to an endocrinologist and x-rays of her thoracic and lumbar spine showed osteopenia. Christine was 61 at the time, living on her own and running her retail consulting business. Christine also works with her dog as part of volunteer therapy at the Randwick Children’s and Prince of Wales Hospitals.
‘Although my oncologist prescribed calcium and vitamin D supplements, I’m still concerned about the impact of Letrozol on my bone density down the track.’
Recently, the endocrinologist has also prescribed six-monthly Prolia (denosumab) injections to protect her bones. Christine’s sister was recently also diagnosed with breast cancer and will shortly begin Letrozol. Her mother developed a significant curve to her spine in the later stages of her life.
While Christine is feeling well and confident that her breast cancer is behind her, she is concerned to protect her bones from the impact of her cancer drugs.
‘Other than cursory discussions on the benefits of exercise to counter loss of bone density, there was no support for this in NSW, so I’m pleased to see that St Vincent’s Hospital and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre (at Garvan) have just introduced a wellness program for post- treatment, covering exercise physiology and social support, which is a step in the right direction.
‘My journey with breast cancer has made me very aware of the importance of research into cancer in general, and specifically, cancer-related osteoporosis. I was offered options in terms of my treatment regime. These options are only possible thanks to research and clinical trials. I chose a less invasive course of treatment and have just passed my one-year anniversary, cancer free. I now have an ongoing treatment plan targeted specifically to reduce the effect of my ongoing cancer drug on my osteopenia,’ said Christine.