Biphosphonates for early hormone positive BC
Hello everyone, Ive been chatting to some women overseas and it seems that the use of biphosphonate infusions for early hormone positive BC is becoming the norm, particularly in US and Canada. I’ve read some literature which seems to draw a conclusion that by using these meds which help lower osteoclasts activity thus preventing bone loss, it also disrupted the environment for bone mets to form.. therefore improve survival. Is anyone having this discussed with them or being used currently in Australia as preventative care? My onc said only approved for bone loss in non metastatic setting in Australia currently?
Bone pain
Can anyone tell me what bone mets feels like? I have pain to my ribs which started about four months ago. I was diagnosed with stage one hormone positive BC earlier this year (no lymph node involvement). My doctors don't want to do any body scans as they think given my initial diagnosis it is unlikely to be mets. The pain comes and goes and tends to hurt more when I sit than when I stand or lie down. There is sometimes a sharp shooting pain, but mostly it's a mild, dull pain. I don't need pain killers. When I massage the area I can sometimes hear a 'clicking' sound. I'm otherwise fit and healthy and in my early thirties, so I don't think it will be arthritis. Is this type of pain consistent with bone mets?
Bisphosphonates to reduce bone mets
I’d like to share something that I’ve learned from my oncologist. Bisphosphonates are used to reduce bone density loss in people who are being treated with AI for estrogen receptive breast cancer. One type of Bisphosphonate is zoledronic acid and is sold among other brand names as ‘aclasta’ and given as an injection. My bone density scan came back with amazing results - not a sign of osteoporosis at all, not even osteoperitic - however, my oncologist has been following the research that shows that giving zoledronic acid as part of adjuvant breast cancer treatment before there’s any indication of bone density loss, can reduce the chance of recurrence of the cancer as bone mets, particularly in post menopausal women. So off I go to get an aclasta injection. The most volatile side effect (though incredibly rare) is something called osteo necrosis of the jaw, so I had to get the all-clear from my dentist first. Here’s some research. Worth asking your oncologist if you feel you fit into the category that might benefit. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/research/adjuvant-bisphosphonates-meta-analysis