A recent study has revealed some surprising facts related to breast cancer survivors. It has claimed that women who have undergone breast cancer therapy fall more often as compared to those who don’t have cancer. The study has shown that the risk of bone fractures in breast cancer survivors is also very high. The possible reason is said to be the mutual effect of chemotherapy and endocrine therapy.

Researchers from the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute, Portland conducted a study on post-menopausal breast cancer survivors to find out whether the treatment of breast cancer increases the risk of falls or not.

The results showed that 58% of breast cancer survivors had experienced a fall in the previous year and nearly 47% fell within 6 months after joining the study. The rate of falling among the older adults over the age of 65 is 25% to 30%, which is almost double as compared to rate of breast cancer survivors.

For the study, the two researchers examined 59 participants. At the end of the study, they found that balance was the only reason that causes breast cancer survivors to fall. The experts relate the problem of balance with changes in the vestibular system that was linked with chemotherapy treatment.

Kerri M. Winters-Stone, PhD, Associate Professor and Associate Scientist, Oregon Health & Science University says that the fall in breast cancer survivors is understudied and deserves more attention.