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Women
in Australia have a one in two chance of developing osteoporosis
but many are ignoring the risk, according to a national survey
of 650 women age 45 and older.
Australia
is far behind the times in recognition and treatment of the
condition, according to John Eisman, Professor at Sydney's
Garvan Institute.
More than
one third of the women surveyed were not concerned about osteoporosis.
Thirty-six percent said they weren't worried about osteoporosis
as a future health risk and only 13 percent said it was a
condition they were most concerned about.
The women
surveyed were more worried about developing arthritis, breast
cancer and heart disease than osteoporosis, even though the
incidence of those diseases is less than that of osteoporosis.
Eisman
reports that the women were not aware that family history
was a significant risk factor for osteoporosis to an even
greater extent than for breast cancer.
The survey
likely reflects the attitudes of young as well as older women,
said Eisman.
Source:
Medical Week staff,
week of April 14, 2002
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