Biphosphonates for early hormone positive BC

Oops nearly forgot bisphosphonates unlike Prolia staying in your system indefinitely so the risk of osteonecrosis is indefinite.The only dentist who would do my root canal held the chair of dentistry at Uni here and only after a blood test called crosslaps established my bone was still turning over.

Here is an article about Prolia and breast cancer.

https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/prolia-reduces-recurrence-risk-for-some

I have 6 monthly Prolia injections to counter bone thinning effects of Letrozole.

I had been diagnosed years before breast cancer with osteoporosis and had 2 short periods on bisphosphonate tablets. I would urge caution with bisphosphonates as I needed a root canal and found the dental community were very reluctant to help once they heard I took bisphonates because of the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw with any oral surgery including extractions. Should you elect to start bisphosphonates ensure you have a thorough dental examination prior to commencement and you will need to be vigilant with regular dental checks thereafter.

Prolia does not have these issues in that it only stays in your system 6 months and I have dental work done prior to my next injection. Prolia is said to further reduce recurrence of breast cancer and is given in US I understand for this reason in addition to osteoporosis.It can however be expensive ( around $280 ) if you don’t qualify under PBS  which is being diagnosed as osteoporotic AND either (a) having had an osteoporotic fracture OR (b) being over 70. Under PBS it is around $38.

thank you @Glemmis

I was offered biophosphonates at my last oncology appointment in August. I have mild osteopaenia but haven’t had a bone density scan since last year so unsure whether it has worsened since then. My oncologist said there was research to show it might help prevent bone Mets so I agreed & had it shortly thereafter. Next one is February. She didn’t say much about side affects only that I would need a blood test for kidney function before & I might have flu like symptoms after which I did for 24 hours.

Yes this was his argument when I asked about it, although I was asking more from a young woman in menopause osteoporosis risk as opposed to preventing mets; I didn’t realise at the time that it is seeming to show promise in preventing them. Once argument was about the side effects and how long do I receive them for considering my age, no current long term data on long term effects etc 

It would be interesting to get any current Australian research findings. I understand there are some potential serious side effects when used to combat bone loss, although those are considered to be rare.