Osteoporosis is a devastating disease includes a decrease in bone density.  This “silent thief” leads to an increased risk of fragility fractures, or the risk of breaking bones with such minor things as bending over or sneezing.  The most common area for fractures is the wrist, vertebrae or hip.  1.4 Canadians suffer from osteoporosis including 1in 4 women over the age of 50.  However, this is not only a disease of older women.  Men and women of any age are susceptible. 

Most people with osteoporosis do not have any symptoms of the disease.  The broken bones that result cause pain both from the initial break and ongoing. Breaks can lead to disability, loss of independence and death.  The focus must be on prevention of the disease itself as well as prevention of fragility fractures for those who are diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Even with all of the rain the Sudbury area has received this summer, sun safety continues to be a big concern. Rates of skin cancer are increasing and exposure to harmful UV rays continues throughout all the seasons during outdoor activities and when using artificial tanning devices. A survey conducted by Dr. Loraine Marrett, a researcher with Canadian Cancer Society and Director of Surveillance at Cancer Care Ontario, showed that Canadians are not as careful as they should be when spending time in the sun.  The results showed that small children ages 1-5 and adults over 65 are generally well protected.  However, young adults who spend the most time on average in the sun or in tanning beds are the least protected from its harmful rays.  This puts them at risk for skin cancer now and in the future.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  It is a time to learn about our breast cancer risks and recommended screening.  It is also a time for celebration.  We should all celebrate the advances in treatment that have dramatically reduced breast cancer mortality.  Sadly, there is a great deal of work to be done toward better treatment options and final eradication of this disease. 

Wiping breast cancer out of our lives starts with awareness and knowledge.  It is known that the majority of breast lumps are found by women themselves; however, many women are afraid of seeing their health care provider to have the change in their breast tissue checked.  Some have told me that they would rather not know if it is cancer.  The good news is that most changes in breast tissue are cancer.