Bone Metastases Risks in Women with Breast Cancer

Breast cancer can lead to a variety of secondary health ailments, with bone metastases one of the greatest risks. If you are caring for an elderly adult who has a history of breast cancer, it is important to become familiar with the variety of tests that may be needed to detect early complications with bone cancer. Without testing, pain and further metastases may ensue, leading to irreversible health complications that become life threatening.

While most patients and doctors are keenly aware of the risk for bone cancer, and loss of bone integrity in response to breast cancer, few will pursue testing into bone metastases beyond two years in remission. While medications can be provided to alleviate risks for metastases, testing for early detection may be he best way to mitigate a life threatening risk with bone cancer.

Bone scans are the most vital testing instrument in elderly adults with a history of breast cancer who have a risk for developing bone metastases. In fact, well before common symptoms '" such as back pain and chest pain develop '" these tests can detect changes in bone density and bone integrity '" providing insight into the need for additional testing.

While overall bone and joint pain is common in the breast cancer patient, and medications are provided in response, these are typically not signs of bone metastases. Instead, individuals who have bone metastases complications will often complain of pain in an isolated area, usually in the ribs or the back. When this type of pronounced pain develops, then further testing should be pursued.

Spinctigraphy, CTscan, and MRI testing are also useful tools to detect complications that arise out of breast cancer. Even for individuals who are suffering from xerostomia and cancer, these tests can be useful. But, in the breast cancer patient, they are all vital to early detection of bone metastases '" common life threatening secondary complications to breast cancer.

Sources: Breast Cancer Survival Manual, by John Link.