Encouraging news to help cancer patients manage their bone health
New Data Presented at the Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
Adam Brufsky, MD, one of the nations leading breast cancer oncologists and researchers.
-Assistant Professor of Medicine, Associate Division Chief for the Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
-Co-Director, Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center; Medical Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Magee Womens Hospital/UPCI, Pittsburgh, PA
Even following treatment, people diagnosed with cancer still face the risk that their cancer may spread, or metastasize, to another part of their body, most commonly their bones. These bone metastases break down the bone, often leading to painful complications that can affect patients quality of life. In addition, certain cancer therapies can also affect the integrity of the bones. Treatments such as aromatase inhibitors, a class of drugs used to help treat breast cancer patients can sometimes also lead to bone loss.
Results from data presented at the recent San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium demonstrates the advantages of treatment with bisphosphonates, which are used to treat bone complications associated with cancer, in helping to improve and maintain bone health. Data showed that the use of bisphosphonates taken in conjunction with an aromatase inhibitor following surgery may significantly reduce the risk of fracture.
Physician Biography: Dr. Adam Brufsky
Medical Oncology
Adam M. Brufsky, MD, PhD, is currently Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He serves as Co-Director, Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center and Medical Director, Women’s Cancer Center at the Magee Womens Hospital/UPCI, Pittsburgh, PA. He also serves as the Associate Division Chief for the Division of Hematology/Oncology within the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Department of Medicine.
He earned his MD and his PhD from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, CT, completed a residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and a Fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Brufsky is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. An active researcher, he has numerous abstracts and research articles in leading journals, and is Principal Investigator on a number of research grants funded by the National Institutes of Health, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and US Army Breast Cancer Research Program.
Clearwater Launches New Power-of-Song-School Program