Osteoporosis is not just a disease for women. Approximately two million men in the U.S. are currently diagnosed with this condition, and that number could reach three million by 2012. While there are multiple risk factors for this bone disease, studies are now underway to examine the relationship between
osteoporosis and prostate cancer.
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When testosterone converts to estrogen, it builds bone mass. Unfortunately, treatments for prostate
cancer, such as androgen deprivation therapy, inhibit the production of these hormones to fight the cancer, thus causing bone mass to also decline.
“Our own in-house evaluation, which includes DEXA scan, shows that our patients have a 43% chance of having bone abnormality at the time of their cancer diagnosis,” said Sigmund I. Tannenbaum, MD, FACS, a urologist with Alliance Urology Specialists.
Because the urologists at Alliance Urology Specialists diagnose and treat prostate cancer, they are also taking a proactive approach to diagnosing and treating bone disease in men.
“We watch bone density levels very carefully in our patients who are undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. The same is true for our patients who have other risk factors for the disease,” said Dr. Tannenbaum.
Other risk factors for osteoporosis in men, in addition to prostate cancer and hormone therapy, include:
- Hypogonadism
- Family history and/or first-degree relatives with osteoporosis
- Using certain medications, such as glucocorticoids
- Low calcium and Vitamin D intakes
- Being thin or having a small frame
- Not getting enough physical activity
- Cigarette smoking
- Drinking more than four alcoholic beverages per day
- Age greater than 70
For more information about prostate cancer and male osteoporosis, contact Alliance Urology Specialists at 336-274-1114.
