Bone Density and Men

Osteonet non-invasive bone density testing (DEXA) for men shares with Breastnet a unique idea in healthcare decisions: greater patient participation. As an informed patient educated about your personal situation, you are in control of the decisions that affect your healthcare.

Our service offers you the gold standard of non-invasive bone density testing of the hip and spine, with accurate reproducible results and a comprehensive approach from diagnosis to treatment. It is specifically designed to accommodate male patients at high risk of developing osteoporosis.

Patients receive, at the time of the examination, results, a written report, an explanation of the results, treatment and nutritional/lifestyle consultation.

Osteoporosis is defined as thin or porous bones, which results in weak bones prone to fracture. Osteoporosis and osteoporosis related fractures are usually considered "women's disease," happening only to post menopausal or elderly women, but these problems do occur in men, as well.

Among those risk factors for osteoporosis in men are: increasing age, hereditary, race, lifestyle habits (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption). Also, some chronic diseases and certain medications put men at higher risk of developing osteoporosis. The negative effect of some of these treatments, especially ones used in the treatment of prostate cancer, deserve special attention.

Many organs in the body are composed of cells that respond to, or are regulated by, exposure to testosterone. Cells in the prostate have testosterone receptors and, when exposed to testosterone, are stimulated to grow. When cells that have testosterone receptors become cancerous, the growth of these cancer cells can be increased by exposure to testosterone. The basis of hormone therapy as a treatment for prostate cancer is to block or prevent the cancer cells from being exposed to testosterone, by decreasing the level of testosterone produced.

Effective as this approach is in managing prostate cancer, it is not without any side effects. According to the report in the January 2006 issue of The Journal of Urology, treatment of prostate cancer with hormonal therapy (GnRH) agonists significantly decreases bone mineral density and is associated with an increased risk of cancer.

It is important to find out the base line status of your bone density prior to cancer treatment, and to monitor bone density as recommended by your doctor. Early intervention can prevent bone loss and its incapacitating consequences of fractures and pain leading to a loss of mobility and independence.

Although osteoporosis discriminates, being more prevalent in women than in men, rest assured that Breastnet can easily accommodate our gentlemen patients.