Hi Everyone
Sorry this is a long one, I’m having a really bad day…
My daughter (44) was diagnosed with breast cancer in November. She has since had reconstructive, undergone chemotherapy to be followed by radiotherapy. However, today she had a bone density scan and her levels were found to be extremely low, a lot lower than expected. She now has to wait for blood tests results. I thought it maybe the chemo and medication causing it but apparently not. Is this ‘common’ ?
I am absolutely sick with worry and anxious that it maybe bone cancer……
I appreciate I may be worried unnecessarily but it’s so hard. I am still coming to terms with my BC diagnosis earlier in the year.
I have real feelings of guilt that my cancer seems to be inferior compared to my daughter. Why couldn’t she have mine??? I had surgery and lymph node removal. I am now taking anastrozole and weekly Alendronate plus calcium/vitamn D as I have osteoporosis.
It’s all so overwhelming….
I do suffer with anxiety/depression my GP has now increased my medication to the maximum level…
I will say my husband has been an absolute rock through all this but it’s still a struggle 
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It sounds like you’re describing a dexa scan and not a bone scan. With a dexa scan it’s not going to check for cancer. It’s for checking bone mass and yeah it wouldn’t be all that unusual to have low bone mass. It’ll just be medication that is prescribed for her along with possibly some suggestions for lifestyle changes (more weight baring exercises, perhaps vitamins).
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Hi Mary, Loss of bone density can be commonly caused by medication she is on, e.g. letrazole, if her BC was hormone positive. Osteoporosis can also be hereditary, so she may have osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis) or osteoporosis. The blood tests could be to measure her calcium/vitamin D levels perhaps? I hope she gets all her results soon and they come up with a good plan to tackle it. Lisa x
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Thank you Lisa, I do hope so. 
I find waiting for her results far more worrying than it was waiting for mine. The anxiety is off the scale…
Mary xxx
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I have two girls, so I can completely understand x
Hi @mary561 how are you getting on?
Your feelings of anxiety are completely valid. I am so sorry that you’re going through this.
Our specialist breast care nurses will be able to answer your clinical questions, and are here for you and your daughter if you want to talk things through.
You can reach them on the forum on the Ask our Nurses your questions board or over the phone on 0808 800 6000.
Sending our warmest,
Lucy