OSCeR Centre, DEXA, Bone Mineral Densitometry, Bone Density Scanning, Body Composition

Welcome to The OSCeR Centre

We are happy to announce that the first Osteoporosis Screening, Education and Research (OSCeR) Centre is now open at Morningside in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs. We aim to provide world's best practice in bone densitometry examinations, vertebral fracture analysis, aortic calcification and body composition analysis.

• Education
Most importantly, we wish to increase awareness about osteoporosis and fracture risk minimisation through education of the general community and referring practitioners alike.
This will include providing information via a variety of methods:

• Printed media
• Community Group Seminars
• School visits
• Internet (more...)

• Advanced Bone Density Testing
We have the very best and very latest in Advanced Bone Density testing equipment, capable of highly accurate and reproducible results. This equipment also provides digital vertebral fracture analysis (VFA), which we can perform on request with any regular bone density examination. Bone Density Testing in combination with VFA is the new gold standard in bone mineral and fracture risk assessment, and we are the only centre to do both on request at no additional cost.

Anyone requiring a bone density test is welcome at our centre, where we accept all referrals. We bulk-bill all eligible patients (ask your doctor if you qualify when you get your referral), and charge reduced fees (less than half other centres in some cases) for those who don't - because we want everyone to have affordable access to this very important service. (more...)

• Body Composition Analysis
Body composition analysis is the most accurate way of assessing the amount of bone, fat and muscle in your body, divided into different regions. This tool is invaluable for the treatment of obesity and various diseases, and for assessing ongoing physical training and weight loss for those serious about improving their general health and fitness levels. (more...)

• Osteoporosis - the Basics
“Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become fragile and brittle, leading to a higher risk of fractures than normal bone. Osteoporosis has no signs or symptoms usually until a fracture occurs - this is why osteoporosis is often called a silent disease.

Osteoporotic fractures can lead to changes in posture (eg developing a stoop or hump in your back), muscle weakness, loss of height and deformity of the area affected. Fractures can lead to long-term pain and disability, loss of independence, and may even contribute to premature death.”
(Source: "Osteoporosis and You" - Osteoporosis Australia, 2^nd Edition).

Some other surprising facts:

• One in three hospital beds will be occupied by elderly women with fractures by 2020 (Garvan Institute).

• One in 2 women over 60 and one in 3 men will sustain a fracture due to osteoporosis (Garvan Institute).

• 50% of those suffering a hip fracture need long term nursing care.
("The Burden of Brittle Bones - Costing Osteoporosis in Australia" Access Economics September 2001)

• On current rates we can expect an 83 per cent increase in hip fractures by 2011 (National Research Institute of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Melbourne).

• What Can I Do?
There are plenty of things you can do to help improve the strength of your bones and to decrease the risk of having a fracture. Visit our Education pages for all the information you need.

• Concerned About Your Bones?
Bone density tests are simple and quick, and are recommended for everyone over the age of 60.
There are also specific indicators of risk, so take the Quick Risk Test below:

	*FOR WOMEN*
•	Have either of your parents broken a hip after a minor bump or fall?
•	Have you broken a bone after a minor bump or fall?
•	Did you undergo menopause before age 45?
•	Have your periods stopped for 12 months or more (other than for pregnancy)?
•	Have you lost more than 3cm (1 inch) in height?
•	Do you regularly drink heavily (in excess of safe drinking limits)?
•	Do you smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day?
•	Have you taken corticosteroid tablets (cortisone, prednisone etc) for more than 3 months?
•	Do you suffer frequently from diarrhoea (caused by problems such as Coeliac disease or Crohn's disease)?

	*FOR MEN*
•	Have either of your parents broken a hip after a minor bump or fall?
•	Have you broken a bone after a minor bump or fall?
•	Have you lost more than 3cm (1 inch) in height?
•	Have you taken corticosteroid tablets (cortisone, prednisone etc) for more than 3 months?
•	Do you regularly drink heavily (in excess of safe drinking limits)?
•	Do you smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day?
•	Do you suffer frequently from diarrhoea (caused by problems such as Coeliac disease or Crohn's disease)?
•	Have you ever suffered from impotence, lack of libido or other symptoms related to low testosterone levels?

If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you may be at risk of osteoporosis and require assessment by a doctor.

What do actresses Britt Ekland, Sally Field and comedian Joan Rivers have in common? They have all been diagnosed with osteoporosis, like millions of other women around the world.
On International Women’s Day 2007, International Osteoporosis Foundation, the largest global non-governmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, calls on women to take responsibility for their bone health by learning about osteoporosis risk factors and taking steps to reduce their risks of debilitating, and sometimes fatal, fractures.

“Osteoporosis is one of the most serious chronic, non-communicable diseases, affecting one out of three women worldwide (more than breast cancer), and one out of five men (more than prostate cancer),” said IOF Medical Affairs Advisor Dr. Nansa Burlet, MD. “It is not widely understood that action taken today can reduce risk of fracture later in life.”

Although osteoporosis can be easily diagnosed and treated, studies have shown that it remains seriously underdiagnosed and undertreated. It is known that having one spinal fracture increases by fivefold the risk of additional spinal fractures within 12 months, a phenomenon commonly known as the fracture cascade.