Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 11/21/2008

Question
Hello,

I'm a 57 yr. old reasonably fit breast cancer survivor (IDC stage 1) who is taking an aromatase inhibitor for a total of 5 years (I have 2 more years to go). A side effect of this medication is bone loss, and my bone scans do show osteopenia. As well, osteoporosis runs on my mom's side. I eat a very healthy diet, take calcium and magnesium and use low-fat organic dairy products daily, don't smoke or drink, and walk and ride a bicycle. I'd like to know if ballet is considered a weight-bearing exercise (like jogging or walking). (I'm considering taking adult ballet lessons...I took ballet for 4 years as a kid.) If so, would ballet be considered mild weight-bearing exercise (like walking) or intense weight-bearing exercise (like jumping rope)? Same questions for roller skating in a rink (I skated a lot in my 40s and want to resume that too).

If these questions are outside your field of expertise, what type of expert should I ask?

Thank you!

Liza


Answer
If I understand ballet at all - I like classical music and opera but am not exactly a ballet fan - it is actually quite an extreme physical training and exercise so probably quite intense. I'm a rather lazy person - especially with regards to physical exercise - so from my point of view roller skating in a rink looks very tiring and intense too - but of course I may be wrong. You should probably ask an expert of physical exercise. You should probably also ask your dr. for medical help with this osteoporosis problem! Such help exists!