Geelong cancer survivor’s bone health warning amid ‘every day’ struggle

A Hamlyn Heights cancer survivor is warning others to be aware of their bone health after struggling to walk a year after sustaining bone fractures that required screws and plates to fix following a simple step off her back deck.

A Hamlyn Heights cancer survivor who still struggles with simple daily tasks a year after sustaining fractures is urging others to be aware of their bone health.

Renee Millane was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer in 2012, when she was just 32 years old.

She subsequently underwent a treatment regimen involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a hysterectomy.

Her treatment caused premature menopause, and although the condition can impact bone

health and is a risk factor for both osteopenia (low bone density), and osteoporosis, Ms Millane says she was not advised about her bone health, nor told to visit an endocrinologist.

Although two bone mineral density scans, in 2016 and 2020, respectively, revealed osteopenia, Ms Millane says she was informed this condition was not cause for concern.

However, just three days after her scan in 2020, a simple step off her back deck resulted in fractures in her left ankle, and a smaller fracture in her right foot.

Renee Millane was diagnosed with osteoporosis in February 2020, which has caused her significant pain. Picture: Alison Wynd

She underwent surgery for her fractures which required plates and screws to repair the foot and ankle, and was further diagnosed with osteoporosis by an endocrinologist following tests and X-rays.

A year later, Ms Millane is still recovering from her fall.

She is in constant pain, experiences difficulty walking, and struggles to perform simple, daily tasks, such as visiting the supermarket, or taking her dog for a walk.

She describes living with osteoporosis as “life-changing, but not in a good way”, as the disease has severely impacted her independence.

“I was a very independent person before fracturing, but was suddenly wheelchair-bound for several months thereafter.

“My fractures were so significant, I couldn’t walk properly.

“I’m still experiencing persistent pain.”

Since her diagnosis of osteoporosis in February last year, Ms Millane has been on osteoporosis treatment and calcium and vitamin D supplements.

The screws and plates required to fix Renee’s foot.

Renee remains in constant pain.

“I have regular physiotherapy and other treatments to progress my recovery, but I’m living with an injury that takes substantial time to heal,” she said.

“Twelve months have passed since I fractured my bones, and every day is still a struggle.”

Had she been told at the outset that her bone health needed attention, Ms Millane said she could have taken actions to help protect her bones.

“Even simple steps like taking vitamin D and calcium supplements, and doing weight bearing exercises, could have made things less severe, with fewer complications.”

Osteoporosis Australia is announcing its official rebrand as ‘Healthy Bones Australia’ to reinforce the importance of prevention, in response to the concerning 173,000 broken bones sustained by the Australian population last year.

The patient organisation has called for Australians to “prioritise their bone health”, by learning the risk factors for, and how to best prevent, brittle bones and osteoporosis.

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Originally published as Geelong cancer survivor’s bone health warning amid ‘every day’ struggle