Bone Health After Cancer Treatment
Medically reviewed by: Michell Fullmer, RD, LDN
and
Christine Zwick, PT
Children being treated for cancer sometimes get medicines (such as steroids or chemotherapy) and radiation therapy that can weaken their bones. But there are ways to help improve a child’s bone health.
What Tests Are Done to Check Bone Health?
To check a child’s bone health, health care providers will:
- Do blood tests to check levels of calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase.
- Do a test called a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. For this test, a child lies on a table and a special “picture” is taken. The test takes about 15 minutes and is done in the radiology department. While this is a type of X-ray, the radiation exposure is very low.
- Do other imaging tests, such as an MRI, if needed.
What Can Help My Child's Bone Health?
You can help your child’s bone health by making sure they get enough calcium and vitamin D, and lots of weight-bearing activity. They also shouldn’t smoke and or be around cigarette smoke.