Osteoporosis
NOFSA 2025 Masterclass: Managing bone health in people affected by breast and prostate cancers
This NOFSA Masterclass explores cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL), a common consequence of hormone deprivation therapy in patients with breast and prostate cancers—the most frequently diagnosed invasive cancers in South African women and men. With treatments accelerating bone mineral density loss and increasing fracture risk, particularly in older adults, this session highlights the importance of early recognition and proactive management. Practical strategies to preserve and promote bone health will be discussed, including both lifestyle and pharmacological interventions.
You will learn:
- The pathophysiology of cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL)
- How to identify and proactively manage patients with a high risk of CTIBL
- Comprehensive management strategies including lifestyle measures and pharmacological treatment to optimise bone health in patients with breast and prostate cancers.
Dr Zane Stevens
Specialist Physician and Endocrinologist
Cape Institute of Endocrinology
Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital
Cape Town
Dr Stevens is the Specialist Physician and Endocrinologist at Cape Institute of Endocrinology. He is in endocrine private practice at Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, Cape Town, with a specific interest in diabetes, thyroid disease and osteoporosis. He was the previous Associate consultant/lecturer in the Division of Endocrinology at Stellenbosch University & UCT involved in undergraduate and postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology. He is also a Member of the task force for creating and publishing South African Hypothyroidism guidelines 2015. Dr Stevens is the co-author of the Insulin chapter in the 2017 SEMDSA guidelines for the management of type 2 DM and is also the co-author of the Endocrine chapter in Tropical Handbook of Medicine 5th edition. He is the executive council member of the South African National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOFSA). Specific interest in Fracture Liaison Services (FLS). He is also the South African Colleges of Medicine examiner for the sub specialization in Endocrinology & Metabolism (FCP). Dr Stevens is the founding member of the Cape Thyroid Forum MDT for thyroid cancers and combined structural/functional thyroid disease and has served on a number of local and international advisory boards for various pharmaceutical companies. He is currently speaks/lectures regularly at CME events in the areas of diabetes, thyroid disease and osteoporosis.
