More and more people are becoming aware of osteoporosis , a condition that causes bones to thin and break easily. But not enough of us are taking steps early to strengthen our bones so we can continue to lead active, independent lives as we get older. This health problem becomes more serious with age. For the elderly, it can be life-threatening.
Osteoporosis affects both men and women.
Each year, approximately 80,000 men, mostly seniors , suffer a hip fracture, and one-third of them die within a year of their injury. Women, however, face the greatest threat of developing osteoporosis. A woman's risk for thinning bones is equal to her risk for breast , uterine, and ovarian cancer combined. The good news is that osteoporosis is preventable in many cases. Health risks Osteoporosis often has no symptoms and may go undiagnosed until a fracture occurs.