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Oestrogen/Estrogen is one of the main hormones protecting the bones. As we reach menopause - the Oestrogen/Estrogen production from the ovaries ceases. The cessation of Oestrogen/Estrogen starts to affect the metabolism of the bones with calcium and others. Over time the bones get weaker, leading onto osteopenia and then osteoporosis.
The main risk of osteoporosis of fractures of the bones. Women (post-menopausal) with early stage breast cancer will benefit from bisphosphonate infusions (Zolendronate/Zometa) ranging from 6 monthly to 12 monthly for 3 years. There is a significant benefit in bone health, along with some improvement in breast cancer survival. Women with metastatic breast cancer, involving the bones will benefit from Denosumab/Xgeva injections or Zometa infusions. This is worth discussing with your Oncologist and General Practitioner. Global Cancer Statistics GLOBOCAN data (CA Cancer J Clin. 2024;1–35):
Global cancer statistics based on estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). There were close to 20 million new cases of cancer in the year 2022 (including nonmelanoma skin cancers [NMSCs]) alongside 9.7 million deaths from cancer (including NMSC). The estimates suggest that approximately one in five men or women develop cancer in a lifetime, whereas around one in nine men and one in 12 women die from it. Lung cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancer in 2022, responsible for almost 2.5 million new cases, or one in eight cancers worldwide (12.4% of all cancers globally), followed by cancers of the female breast (11.6%), colorectum (9.6%), prostate (7.3%), and stomach (4.9%). Lung cancer was also the leading cause of cancer death, with an estimated 1.8 million deaths (18.7%), followed by colorectal (9.3%), liver (7.8%), female breast (6.9%), and stomach (6.8%) cancers. Breast cancer and lung cancer were the most frequent cancers in women and men, respectively (both cases and deaths). Incidence rates (including NMSC) varied from four‐fold to five‐fold across world regions, from over 500 in Australia/New Zealand (507.9 per 100,000) to under 100 in Western Africa (97.1 per 100,000) among men, and from over 400 in Australia/New Zealand (410.5 per 100,000) to close to 100 in South‐Central Asia (103.3 per 100,000) among women. I have several patients and families who travel while on treatment for cancer. I think it is great to travel and "get back to life". The thing of concern is that while people travel and get unwell on Australian soil - they could go to any hospital in Australia. The care and management would all be covered by Medicare or their private health insurance.
Getting unwell while overseas can be a completely different story. The cancer would most probably be considered a "pre-existing condition:" and not be covered by the travel health insurance. Medical care in some countries can be terribly expensive. It is also important to declare medical problems/conditions while filling out forms for travel health insurance. |
Rohit JoshiCancer, Medicine and Life: A cancer and medicine blog to help on the journey of life. Medicine and Medical Oncology are rapidly changing fields and is hard for most people to keep up. A diagnosis of any illness, in particular cancer is devastating news for anyone, and the hope is that we can share knowledge and support each other. Archives
May 2024
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