A recent study published in the BMC women’s health journal suggested that oncological care must encourage postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (PBCS) to engage in osteoporosis preventive behaviors. PBCS are at a higher risk of fractures and bone disorders due to a decline of estrogen and bone density with increasing age.
The goal of the study was to determine the knowledge and beliefs of osteoporosis among PBCS and associate them with the preventive measures being followed. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study which included Osteoporosis Preventive Behaviors questionnaires, Facts on Osteoporosis Quiz and an Osteoporosis Health Beliefs Scale.
Participants were selected from an ongoing longitudinal study which evaluates the link between breast cancer and diabetes beliefs in older individuals who have survived breast cancer. These women were 55 years and older with confirmed diagnosis of early stage breast cancer within the last five years. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical information including bone density scores, body weight, height, body mass index and Vitamin D/calcium supplements was acquired from hospital chart reviews and survey questionnaires.
A statistical analysis was carried out to assess the correlation between knowledge levels and health motivation related to osteoporosis. A total of thirty participants were included in the study and Non-English speaking participants were excluded.
The results of the study showed that participants with higher scores of osteoporosis knowledge and beliefs were more likely to indulge in strength training exercises. Despite the knowledge, <50% of them performed strength-training exercises.
Thus, the results of the study proposed that education and awareness of osteoporosis risk and seriousness among PBCS must be increased to encourage them towards osteoporosis preventive behaviors.
Source: Bailey S, Lin J. The association of osteoporosis knowledge and beliefs with preventive behaviors in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. BMC Women’s Health. (2021); 21(1).
Source link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8359538/
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