Why bones change
Bone cells are changing all the time, but there are specific treatments and wellness issues that can significantly alter bone mineral density, making it lighter and increasing the likelihood of fractures. If we suddenly found ourselves bedridden and immobile our bones can lose density, or if we suffer from conditions like Paget’s disease, our cells may need a boost. Osteoporosis is another health problem where bones become lighter to such an extent fractures can occur more easily. For these conditions, doctors may prescribe us calcitonin, but the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recently reviewed information relating to this drug and cancer development in people that use it.
Treatments
Calcitonin comes in various forms, and if we have osteoporosis we could take it as a nasal spray or via mouth. The research showed that people who take it as a nose spray had a cancer rate 2.4 per cent higher than groups taking a placebo. Oral preparations of the medicine are linked with a 0.7 per cent increased cancer risk. The results have proved so important to our wellness, the scientists have recommended withdrawing the nasal spray from the market to protect our health, because the benefits do not outweigh the risks involved. For other diseases or conditions, the EMA says doctors ought to stick to very specific time-lines, to try and prevent the development of cancer.
Although doctors may have one less way of treating osteoporosis there are still other medicines on the market designed to improve our quality of life if we have the condition. Also, making sure we limit home tripping hazards can prevent fractures, while diets featuring calcium and Vitamins, C, D and K, can combat the condition.