Bone Mineral Density Screening Among Women with a History of Breast Cancer Treated with Aromatase Inhibitors

Abstract Background: Understanding adherence to bone mineral density (BMD) screening after breast cancer (BC) treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AI) is an important first step in preventing or treating BC-related osteoporosis. Methods: This retrospective cohort study assessed receipt and adherence to BMD screening among 342 women diagnosed with BC who were at high risk for osteoporosis after BC treatment with AI between 2004 and 2007. Nonadherence to baseline and annual BMD screening (recommended by 2003 American Society of Clinical Oncology Guidelines) was assessed using descriptive statistics and Poisson regression models accounting for length of AI use and follow-up. Results: In the year before AI initiation, 16% of women received BMD screening. Fifty-six percent had no BMD screening in the14 months after a minimum of 9 months of continuous AI use, and 75% and 66% failed to have BMD screens during the second (14.1–26 month) and third (26.1–38 month) annual time periods after continuous AI use for at ...