Breast cancer treatments can cause osteoporosis.

This is true...but it depends on which breast cancer drugs you’re talking about. Some agents increase the risk of osteoporosis...some decrease the risk...and others don’t affect bone at all.

Aromatase inhibitors such as Arimidex (anastrozole), Femara (letrozole), and Aromasin (exemestane) inhibit estrogen production...and cause estrogen deficiency and bone loss.

Recommend checking bone density when starting therapy. Remind women taking one of these agents to get enough calcium and vitamin D. Encourage smoking cessation and moderation of alcohol intake to lower the risk of osteoporosis.