5 days ago
Mary Kennedy urges women to get their bones checked
Broadcaster Mary Kennedy has said she would 'hate to lose' her independence because of a fall as she urged pensioners to get their bones checked.
The former Nationwide host is backing the re-launch of the 'She doesn't deserve a Break' campaign, which encourages women over 65 to make time to prioritise their bone health and to break the silence around osteoporosis by talking to their GP.
Mary said: 'The whole purpose of the She Doesn't Deserve a Break campaign is to alert people to the possibility of prevention.
'I would hate to lose my independence, even for a short space of time, due to a fall or a fracture. Being bone health aware makes good sense so that as we age, we can enjoy life fully.
'Women aged over 65 should make time for their bone health, be empowered, and inform themselves more about osteoporosis, especially the risk factors for it.
'They can do this by visiting then they should follow up by having a conversation with their GP about their bone health.
'The bottom line is, it is never too early or too late to take measures to improve bone health. And that's good news.'
Bone loss accelerates with age and around 75 per cent of fractures due to osteoporosis happen in people aged 65 and over. Women are also more likely to develop osteoporosis than men partly due to a drop in oestrogen during menopause.
Osteoporosis is a "silent disease" that often goes undiagnosed until a break occurs.
Osteoporosis-related hip fractures in Ireland are expected to rise by nearly 60 per cent over the next decade, from 32,000 to 51,000 annually by 2034.
It is estimated that there are approximately 300,000 people in Ireland living with osteoporosis.
Also joining the campaign is Jess Redden, wife of retired rugby star Rob Kearney.
Pharmacist Jess, alongside her mum Linda Redden, are calling on daughters, sons, nieces, nephews, husbands and friends to start the conversation about bone health
Jess said: 'Osteoporosis affects real women, real families, and we can help prevent the consequences of it, such as broken bones, by taking action now.
'It is vital that we, the people in women's lives who are over 65, encourage conversation around their bone health – calling on daughters, sons, nieces, husbands and friends to support women in their lives over 65.'
