On call: Osteoporosis and prostate cancer

Q. My 64-year-old wife was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. Her doctor said medication would help, and he reassured her that having osteoporosis was not all bad since it indicates a reduced risk for breast cancer. I want to know if osteoporosis in men affects the risk of prostate cancer.

A. At first glance, a link between bones and the breast or prostate would seem far-fetched. In fact, though, there is a link; it depends on the fact that all three organs are affected by sex hormones.