Osteoporosis Australia is encouraging our male and female readers to get online and visit the Know Your Bones website at www.knowyourbones.org.au. The national program was introduced by Osteoporosis Australia and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and is based on results from a long running osteoporosis study by the Garvan.
Greg Lyubomirsky, CEO of Osteoporosis Australia says “it is time we all paid more attention to our bone health. There are simply too many broken bones occurring around Australia, with over 165,000 last year, many could have been prevented.”
Greg says knowing about your risk of osteoporosis and talking to your doctor can have a positive outcome for many people. Unfortunately feedback from many patients is they had broken a bone and found out much later they had osteoporosis.
People with risk factors for osteoporosis are encouraged to speak with their doctor about a bone density test. This simple scan can determine if bones are in the range of normal, low bone density or osteoporosis. For people over 50 who have experienced a fracture from a minor incident their bone health should be investigated.
Greg says “the good news is there is a lot that can be done to manage your bone health if you are diagnosed with osteoporosis. But up to 80% of people over 50 who break a bone are leaving our hospitals without being investigated for osteoporosis. This is something we need to change.”
The Know Your Bones website is an easy-to-use online self-assessment which provides a report showing risk results and recommendations. For anyone over 50 years the report also provides a fracture risk assessment for 5-year and 10-years. The results can be taken to the doctor if required. The website is a useful tool to help the community better understand risk factors for poor bone health.
Greg added “the Know Your Bones website has been helpful and nearly 60,000 Australians have already used the tool since the program started.” Osteoporosis Australia is aiming to reach a broader audience with this important prevention message.
Australian research has identified the types of medical and lifestyle factors which can lead to an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and adults with these factors should be investigated.
Greg stresses “breaking a bone from poor bone health has a big impact on the patient and their family and it is definitely something we should all aim to avoid. Using the Know Your Bones online assessment is a simple first step to take action to protect your bones.”
Take the self-assessment today at: www.knowyourbones.org.au
