Risks for bone cancer

Some things can affect your risk, or chance, of developing cancer. Certain behaviours, substances or conditions can increase or decrease the risk. Most cancers are the result of many risks. But sometimes bone cancer develops in people who don't have any risks.

If you have a genetic condition that increases your risk for bone cancer, you may need to visit your doctor more often. Talk to your doctor about your risk and if you need to have certain tests to check for bone cancer.

Several things could increase your risk for bone cancer. None of these risks can be changed. Until we learn more about these risks, there are no specific ways you can lower your risk for bone cancer.

The following can increase your risk for bone cancer:

• exposure to radiation

• bone disorders or conditions

• genetic conditions

• previous chemotherapy

High-dose radiation therapy used to treat childhood cancers can increase the risk for bone cancer. The risk is greatest in the area that was treated with radiation. People who had their entire body treated with radiation (called total body irradiation) before a stem cell transplant have the highest risk of developing bone cancer.

High levels of ionizing radiation causes a high risk for bone cancer. For example, people coming into contact with radiation from an atomic bomb have a higher risk for bone cancer, especially for people who were children when they were exposed.

Exposure to radium increases the risk for bone cancer.

• People who were treated with intravenous radium have a high risk for bone cancer.
• Radium paint was used on the dials of watches and faces of clocks. Workers who used their lips to bring the paintbrushes to a point have a high risk of bone cancer. Radium paint is no longer used in Canada, but people who own radium antiques can still be exposed by breathing in or ingesting flakes of paint.

Having one of the following bone disorders or conditions can increase the risk for bone cancer.

Paget disease of the bone causes abnormal bone tissue to form. The bones become heavier, thicker, weaker and more likely to break than normal. Paget disease most often affects people over the age of 50.

Fibrosis dysplasia is a chronic condition where bones grow unevenly and break easily.

Chondroma and osteochondroma are non-cancerous (benign) bone tumours that slightly increase the risk of chondrosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.

A genetic condition is a disease caused by a change (mutation) in one or more genes. Having certain genetic conditions increases the risk of developing bone cancer.

Retinoblastoma is a rare eye cancer that occurs in children. It can be hereditary (called familial retinoblastoma). People who have the inherited form of retinoblastoma as children have a higher risk of developing bone cancer. This risk is even higher for people who were given both chemotherapy and radiation therapy as part of their treatment for retinoblastoma.

Li-Fraumeni syndrome is an inherited condition that is associated with a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers, including bone cancer. People with Li-Fraumeni syndrome tend to develop several different types of cancer before the age of 45.

Werner syndrome is an inherited condition that causes the body to age very rapidly after puberty. Werner syndrome increases the risk for bone and soft tissue cancers.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome is an inherited condition that causes skin rashes, thinning skin, small group of blood vessels under the skin (telangiectasia) and bone problems. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome increases the risk of developing osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.

Bloom syndrome is an inherited condition caused by mutations in a certain chromosome. Signs include shorter than average height, a high-pitched voice and a characteristic facial appearance. Bloom syndrome is associated with an increased risk of developing different types of cancer, including bone cancer. People with Bloom syndrome often develop several different types of cancer.

Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is a rare condition that causes many non-cancerous lumps (called exostoses) to grow on the bones. These lumps can be painful and cause bones to become deformed or break. People with HME have a slightly higher risk of developing bone cancer later in life.

Children with cancer who are treated with a type of drug called an alkylating agent have a higher risk of developing bone cancer later in life. The risk increases with the amount of the drug given.

Significant research shows no link between bone cancer and fluoride in drinking water.

To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your doctor questions about risks. Learn how cancer can be prevented and what you can do to reduce your risk.