This result is reported from the team of Jane Green et al from Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF published in BMJ. 2010 September 1; 41:c4444. This particular study reported in the British Medical Journal involved 80,000 patients tracked for more than seven years on average. This documents the long-term harm of these very toxic, inflammation producing drugs that do not build or rejuvenate healthy bone but poison osteoclasts, a type of bone cell.Bisphosphonates are used for the treatment of osteoporosis as diagnosed, usually, by a bone density x-ray which measures quantity, not quality, of bone.
Bisphosphonates are not very effective and have some very severe side effects, and now we know one of those side effects is the shocking increased incidence of esophageal cancer. It is hard to diagnose and it has a very high mortality rate.
Dr. Jane Green and her team at Oxford write :( my bold)
"Oesophageal cancer is not common in Western countries, but it has a high morbidity and is often fatal. On the basis of incidences for Europe and North America published by the World Health Organization in 2007,6 a doubling of risk of oesophageal cancer associated with about five years’ use of oral bisphosphonates would mean an estimated overall increase in incidence of oesophageal cancer in people aged 60-79 years from 1 case per 1000 population over five years in both sexes combined (in women 0.5 and in men 1.5 per 1000) in non-users to 2 cases per 1000 over five years (in women 1 case and in men 3 cases per 1000) in users.
If confirmed, an association between use of oral bisphosphonates and risk of oesophageal cancer would add to our knowledge of the risks and benefits of use of oral bisphosphonates. Treatment and prevention of osteoporotic fracture is a subject of increasing public health importance with large scale clinical and economic implications. Further research is warranted to confirm or refute our findings and in particular to examine the associations between use of different types and formulations of bisphosphonates and risk of the different histological types of oesophageal cancer".
Bisphosphonates poor effectiveness, same as or worse than lifestyle and dietary changes, is a finding reported in a January 2008 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine (full article here). The conclusion of the study states: “Although good evidence suggests that many agents are effective in preventing osteoporotic fractures, data are insufficient to determine the relative efficacy or safety of these agents.”
And what if bisphosphonates are not the first line of therapy for osteoporosis? So says a University of Illinois study which finds that an effective first course of action is increasing dietary calcium and vitamin D or taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.“For many people, prescription bone-building medicines should be a last resort,” said Karen Chapman-Novakofski, a U of I professor of nutrition and co-author of a literature review published in a recent issue of Nutrients, May 2011.The study reported that adults who increase their intake of calcium and vitamin D usually increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk for hip fracture significantly. "These results were often accomplished through supplements, but food is also a good source of these nutrients, she said".There are many other hazards of bisphosphonates including the direct side effects of osteonecrosis of the jaw, atrial fibrillation ( which requires long term use of blood thinning drugs to prevent strokes), pain syndromes and severe inflammation of the esophagus. See Byron Richard’s excellent summary of the hazards of bisphosphonates found here, at “The Delusions of Bone Drugs".
How to treat Osteoporosis?
Dr. Gaby's book "How to prevent and treat Osteoporosis" is wonderful resource and can be purchased at any book store.Even one prescription for any type of bisphosphonate drug increases the risk of esophageal cancer by 20%. However, when a person fills 10 or more of these prescriptions for longer than a three year period, which is standard medical protocol, then the risk increases 98%
With osteoporosis, think celiac/gluten sensitivity!
To read more about this go to Celiacbrain, May 23, 2011.
