IOF Launches International Women's Day Call For Women To Know Their Osteoporosis Risk

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 08 Mar 2007 - 9:00 PDT

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What do actresses Britt Ekland, Sally Field and comedian Joan Rivers have in common? They have all been diagnosed with osteoporosis, like millions of other women around the world.

On International Women's Day 2007, International Osteoporosis Foundation, the largest global non-governmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, calls on women to take responsibility for their bone health by learning about osteoporosis risk factors and taking steps to reduce their risks of debilitating, and sometimes fatal, fractures.

"Osteoporosis is one of the most serious chronic, non-communicable diseases, affecting one out of three women worldwide (more than breast cancer), and one out of five men (more than prostate cancer)," said IOF Medical Affairs Advisor Dr. Nansa Burlet, MD.

"It is not widely understood that action taken today can reduce risk of fracture later in life."

Although osteoporosis can be easily diagnosed and treated, studies have shown that it remains seriously underdiagnosed and undertreated. It is known that having one spinal fracture increases by fivefold the risk of additional spinal fractures within 12 months, a phenomenon commonly known as the fracture cascade.

IOF and IOF member national patient organizations around the world encourage women to take the IOF One Minute Osteoporosis Risk Test.

In addition, women need to know that certain risk factors such as age, family history of osteoporosis, menopause, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, low body weight, and inadequate intake of vitamin D and calcium can make them more at risk of osteoporosis.

IOF encourages people to take responsibility for their bone health by eating "bone-friendly" food with sufficient calcium, vitamin D and protein, by doing weight bearing and high impact exercise (dancing, walking, jogging, sports, strength training) to stimulate bone formation, and by paying attention to risk factors.

Osteoporosis, in which the bones become porous and break easily, is one of the world's most common and debilitating diseases. The result: pain, loss of movement, inability to perform daily chores, and in many cases, death. One out of three women over 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will one out of five men1, 2, 3. Unfortunately, screening for people at risk is far from being a standard practice. Osteoporosis can, to a certain extent, be prevented, it can be easily diagnosed and effective treatments are available.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the only worldwide organization dedicated to the fight against osteoporosis. It brings together scientists, physicians, patient societies and corporate partners. Working with its 175 member societies in 86 locations, and other healthcare-related organizations around the world, IOF encourages awareness and prevention, early detection and improved treatment of osteoporosis.

1. Melton U, Chrischilles EA, Cooper C et al. How many women have osteoporosis? Journal of Bone Mineral Research, 1992; 7:1005-10
2. Kanis JA et al. Long-term risk of osteoporotic fracture in Malmo. Osteoporosis International, 2000; 11:669-674
3. Melton LJ, et al. Bone density and fracture risk in men. JBMR. 1998; 13:No 12:1915

For more information on osteoporosis and IOF please visit:
http://www.iofbonehealth.org