National Magazine of Osteoporosis Australia latest news * prevention and treatment * helpful tips
Blokes, Bones and Breaks HEALTHY BONES australia
SCREAM for Halloween Q&A: Ask THE EXpert
Why are women more likely to get osteoporosis? RECIPE CORNER
Smoked Salmon Rillettes Spring 2014
Welcome
Risk factors for men
Welcome to our new online edition of Osteoblast. Please feel free to share this with your friends and family. If you would like to receive our newsletter electronically, please call or email us so we can add you to our growing mailing list of interested friends.
• Low testosterone levels
Our aim is to provide you with all the information you need about osteoporosis and we are open to suggestions on future content. In the meantime check out our Healthy Bones Australia website and track how well you are looking after your bones. Please remember, if you need information or advice, we have a toll free number for you to call – 1800 242 141. And you can always email us at admin@osteoporosis.org.au
Gail Morgan CEO
The main risk factors for osteoporosis apply to both men and women. But men also have some specific risk factors including:
• Some treatments for prostate cancer
“Around 250,000 men in Australia have osteoporosis and this is expected to increase”. Lifestyle habits also have an impact on bone health including: • Smoking • Excessive alcohol • Being inactive • Obesity • Low body weight
Should I be tested?
Blokes, Bones, and Breaks World Osteoporosis Day this year (October 20) focuses on Osteoporosis and Men. Osteoporosis is often seen as a woman’s disease but men suffer too. Around 250,000 men in Australia have osteoporosis and this is expected to increase. Men account for 30% of all fractures that occur in people over 50. Osteoporosis can be prevented and treated. Taking early action is the most effective way of preventing a broken bone.
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• If you have any risk factors for osteoporosis it is important you advise your doctor. • If you are over 50 and experience a fracture from a minor bump or fall you should talk to your doctor about osteoporosis. Click for latest resources for men.
New website now live! Our new website went live in July. It has some great new features including:
SCREAM for Halloween This October, Healthy Bones Australia is SCREAMING out to all Aussies to help break the silence on poor bone health. Osteoporosis currently affects over 1 million Australians, yet sadly it is a preventable disease. That’s why this Halloween we need YOU to help raise funds for osteoporosis prevention and awareness initiatives.
How can I get involved?
• A community forum where you can connect with us, and others to discuss bone health online. • New resources: including a series of new factsheets covering a range of important topics including: Pregnancy and Osteoporosis, HIV, and Osteoporosis and Breast Cancer. • There is also a popular new section where you can ‘Ask the Expert’ general questions about osteoporosis. Each month a podcast is released by an Expert answering some of your general questions.
OA Patron talks prevention
It’s easy! Either donate and support our Healthy Bones Australia Ambassador Scream Team including: Jude Bolton, Elka Whalan, Susie Burrell and Andy Allen OR create your own Halloween themed fundraising event.
Click to donate Share the message Don’t forget to share the SCREAM message with your friends and family. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter:
How do we use your funds? • $40,000 will support the development of a Healthy Bones Australia calculator app to give more people the opportunity to track how well they are looking after their bone health. •$25,000 will allow us to provide valuable resources and guides to 20,000 people suffering from osteoporosis. 2
autumn 2014
Helen Dalley helped launch Prevention Magazine’s Prevention Week at a special breakfast in Sydney. Helen is part of an impressive line-up of women featured in an article titled ‘The Power of Prevention’. Helen talked about her role as Patron of Osteoporosis Australia and the importance of healthy bones. Pictured from left: Helen Dalley, Jacqui Mooney (Editor, Prevention Magazine) and Gail Morgan (CEO)
Toll free helpline:
1800 242 141 spring 2014
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Ask the Expert Dr Weiwen Chen
2. Impact of other treatments Steroids which are commonly used for managing various chronic conditions are an example. Steroids have many negative effects on bone cells and they also reduce intestinal calcium absorption, decrease production hormones (i.e. testosterone and oestrogen). Rapid bone loss can occur within the first six to twelve months of steroid therapy. 3. Chronic diseases that affect wellbeing
Q1. Can you explain why women are more likely to get osteoporosis? Women are generally more at risk of osteoporosis for a few reasons for example: lower peak bone mass (attained in your early 20’s), lower muscle mass, and loss of oestrogen at the time of menopause. A gradual decline in bone mass (approximately 1% per year) occurs from about the age of 40. Oestrogen is an important hormone for maintaining bone density. During the time of menopause, oestrogen production ceases and significant bone loss (between 2-5% per year for up to 5 years) follows.
Chronic diseases can result in decreased mobility and poor nutrition which can impact on your bones. For example, chronic lung disease rheumatoid arthritis and coeliac disease (which reduces absorption of calcium) can all increase a patient’s risk of developing osteoporosis and should be discussed with your doctor.
CEO Gail Morgan finalist for 2014 ACT Telstra Business Woman of the Year Award
Q2. I have heard other diseases can increase your chances of getting osteoporosis. Can you please explain the most common and why? Certain medical conditions are associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. These conditions can affect bone health by either one of the following reasons: 1. Underlying effect of a disease Disorders resulting in hormonal disturbances for examples: hyperthyroidism, hypogonadism and cushings syndrome, which result in an increased rate of bone loss. 3
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CEO Gail Morgan has made it into the finals for the 2014 ACT Telstra Business Woman of the Year Award. She is thrilled to use this platform to continue to raise the profile of osteoporosis. Click to read more
Report Findings Osteoporosis and osteopenia currently affect 4.74 million Australians. This figure is set to rise to 6.2 million by 2022 Osteoporosis Australia released a new report on the cost of osteoporosis over the next decade. Findings of the report show that: • Osteoporosis and osteopenia currently affect over 66% of adults aged 50 years and over • 4.74 million Australians have osteoporosis and osteopenia • 6.2 million Australians will have osteoporosis by 2022 • $33.6 billion, the total costs of osteoporosis and osteopenia over the next 10 years • There will be 1.6 million broken bones in Australia over the next 10 years due to poor bone health • Osteoporosis affects men and women, men account for 30% of all osteoporosis related fractures Osteoporosis Australia Chairman Dr John Hewson says: “It’s time the nation took bone health seriously. We are calling on healthcare professionals to make bone health a higher priority and the community to be aware of the risk factors and prevention strategies.”
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Let’s be friends Want to join a group of like-minded people, who understand the importance of osteoporosis awareness, prevention and research? Why not sign up for our Friends of Osteoporosis Australia program? A minimum donation of $35 is required to join, with proceeds going directly towards our community and research support funds. After registering, you will receive a welcome pack complete with a certificate acknowledging you generous donation and a bone-shaped USB! Click for more information
Andy Allen’s - Smoked Salmon Rilettes Ingredients • 300g piece of salmon fillet, skinned and boned • 2 sourdough baguettes • ¹/3 cup extra virgin olive oil • 200g smoked salmon, chopped • 2 tbs baby capers, finely chopped • 1 eschalot, finely chopped • zest of 2 lemons • ½ bunch dill, finely chopped • ½ bunch chives, finely chopped • 200ml créme fraîche • cornichons (small pickled cucumbers) and lemon cheeks to serve • salt and freshly ground black pepper to season
Method 1. Place fresh salmon in a heavy-based saucepan. Pour 1L boiling water over fish and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Stand for 30 minutes to gently poach. 2. Meanwhile, heat a char-grill pan or barbecue to medium-high heat. Brush bread with oil and 3. Char-grill for 2 minutes on each side or until lightly charred. Set aside. Remove cooked salmon from water and pat dry. Remove and discard skin. Flake flesh into a large bowl and cool completely. Add smoked salmon, capers, eschalot, lemon zest, herbs and crème fraiche. Stir until just combined.
Donate to Scream for Halloween
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