Bone Cancer
What should people know about bone cancer?
Bone is a hard connective tissue that makes up the skeleton and provides shape to the body. Bone provides support and protects many of the body's fragile organs. Most bones start out as cartilage, a firm rubbery tissue that cushions bones and joints. After the bone is formed, some cartilage may remain at the ends to serve as a cushion between bones, such as in the knee or shoulder.
Many types of cancer (such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer) frequently spread to the bones. This is called metastasis. This fact sheet only includes information about cancer that began in the bone (called primary bone cancer); cancers that began in other parts of the body and spread to the bone (metastases) are not included.
Bone cancer can occur at any age. Each year in New York State, almost 150 men and nearly 100 women (including children) are diagnosed with bone cancer. Over 50 men and almost 40 women, again including children, in New York die of the disease each year.
What factors increase risk for developing bone cancer?
At this time, the causes of bone cancer are not well understood. However, scientists agree that certain factors increase a person's risk of developing this disease. These risk factors include:
- Hereditary conditions and family history. People with certain inherited diseases (Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome) are at increased risk for bone cancer. Children who have had hereditary retinoblastoma (a rare cancer of the eye) are at greater risk of developing bone cancer.
- Ionizing radiation. Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation (such as radiation treatment for other cancers) increases the risk of getting bone cancer.
- Paget's disease. People with Paget's disease, a condition of abnormal bone growth, are at increased risk for bone cancer.
What can I do to reduce my chances of getting bone cancer?
To help reduce the risk of getting bone cancer:
- Be aware of your family history and discuss any concerns with your health care provider.
- Discuss the risks and benefits of medical imaging, such as CT scans, with your health care provider to avoid unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation. This is particularly important for children.
How else can I reduce my risk for cancer?
The following may help reduce the risk of developing cancer:
- Choose a healthy diet to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains and eat less red and processed (e.g., bacon, sausage, luncheon meat, hot dogs) meats. These actions may reduce the risk of developing many types of cancer as well as other diseases.
- Exercise regularly.
- Do not smoke. If you currently smoke, quit. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. For more information on quitting smoking, visit the NYS Smoker's Quitline at www.nysmokefree.com or call 1-866-NY-QUITS.
- Talk with your health care provider about recommended cancer screenings.
