ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER

Maintaining healthy bones with prostate cancer

Published September 2021

Maintaining healthy bones with prostate cancer
Maintaining healthy bones with prostate cancer

Keeping your bones healthy as you age should be a top priority for everyone. By its very nature, prostate cancer is typically diagnosed later in life, when men are 50+ years of age – this coincides with the time when most people need to start thinking about looking after their bone health as they age. Although women are known to be at higher risk of osteoporosis – a condition resulting in weaker bones – this condition can also affect men.1

Risk of osteoporosis and bone health issues (e.g. higher risk of fractures) are further increased in men with prostate cancer.2 In fact, a study of people newly diagnosed with prostate cancer showed that few – around 20% – had ‘normal’ bone strength when they developed prostate cancer.2 In addition to the risk to bones created by age, some prostate cancer treatments can also lower levels of testosterone (sex hormones) in the blood, which can cause the bones to become weaker.3

So let’s take a look at how the risk can differ from one person to another, how healthcare professionals assess bone health, and what you can do to help reduce your risk of bone loss.4

Who is most at risk of bone loss from prostate cancer treatment?

The amount, as well as the type of treatment that a person receives can affect bone health, especially in people with advanced prostate cancer.5 The main parts of the body at risk of fracture are the hip, spine, and forearm.2

How is bone health measured in people with prostate cancer?

Fracture risk can be calculated by healthcare professionals using tools that take into account factors such as age, weight, overall health, and lifestyle. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurement is also used during bone health assessments. BMD is monitored by a type of scan called DXA (which stands for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry).5

How can I reduce my risk of bone loss?

To help support bone health during prostate cancer treatment, there are lifestyle factors you can consider that may help. These include:

Cutting down on smoking and alcohol 5

Cigarette smoking and drinking large amounts of alcohol are both directly linked to a loss of BMD in people with prostate cancer. Cutting down, or giving up smoking and alcohol altogether, are good ways to help protect bone health.

Being physically active 5

Exercise is not only great for bone health, but it also improves muscle strength, heart health, and mood, helps control weight, and increases energy levels. You may want to consider the right exercise regime for you, but be sure to discuss any new physical activity with your healthcare team.

Getting enough calcium and vitamin D

It’s possible to get plenty of calcium through the food you eat. Good sources of calcium include milk, cheese, yoghurts, tinned salmon and sardines, green leafy vegetables, almonds and Brazil nuts, and sesame seeds.6

It can be trickier to get sufficient vitamin D from diet (and sunlight), so your healthcare team may recommend you take a vitamin D supplement.5

Is there medication I can take to protect my bones?

If needed, your healthcare team may prescribe medication to help protect your bone health. For example, a class of drugs called bisphosphonates can help prevent bone loss. Bisphosphonates are usually given in tablet format. Talk to your healthcare team if you are concerned about your bone health.

SOURCES:
  1. NHS. Osteoporosis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoporosis/. Accessed October 2025.
  2. Coleman, R. E. et al. Management of cancer treatment-induced bone loss. Nat. Rev. Rheumatol. advance online publication 19 March 2013; doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2013.36.
  3. Macmillan Cancer Support. Bone health. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/bone-health. Accessed October 2025.
  4. Cancer Research UK. Prostate cancer. Bone problems. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/practical-emotional-support/hormone-symptoms/sex-hormones-bone-loss-men. Accessed October 2025.
  5. Brown JE, Handforth C, Compston JE, et al. Guidance for the assessment and management of prostate cancer treatment-induced bone loss. A consensus position statement from an expert group. J Bone Oncol. 2020;25:100311. Published 2020 Aug 2. doi:10.1016/j.jbo.2020.100311.
  6. Cancer Research UK. Prostate cancer. Food controversies and supplements. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/practical-emotional-support/food-controversies-supplements. Accessed October 2025.

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MAT-GB-ENZ-2025-00003 November 2025