The Myth of Osteoporosis By Gillian Sanson MCD Century Publications, 2003. In The Myth of Osteoporosis: What Every Women Should Know About Creating Bone Health, Sanson writes about a pervasive set of misperceptions and controversies that surround osteoporosis – from the diagnosis and treatment of the disease to even the definition of the disease itself. Sanson details how millions of healthy, well women have been frightened into unnecessary testing, handed questionable diagnoses, and urged to undergo treatment for a disease that they probably don’t have – and probably will never have.

Read the Journal of the American Medical Association review July 2005

From the Press Release:

Sanson draws on an international body of scientific research. She bases her work on published studies from leading scientific establishments such as the U.S. National Institutes of Health and on articles in professional journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine. The result is a book that debunks many of the myths surrounding osteoporosis, including:

The myth that all women over the age of 50 are at risk for osteoporosis.

The myths that osteoporosis is the cause of fractures in the elderly and that fractures in the elderly are deadly.

The myth that the diagnosis of osteoporosis as a measure of low bone density is accurate, valid, and reliable.

The myth that high calcium and dairy intake prevents osteoporosis.

The myth that osteoporosis can be safely prevented and treated with drugs.

The Myth of Osteoporosis details how the World Health Organization’s controversial decision to change the definition of osteoporosis effectively labeled millions of well women as having osteoporosis. The book casts doubt on the bone densitometry technology that supposedly screens for osteoporosis. Sanson also reveals the paradox of many current osteoporosis drug treatments: They do not benefit the majority of people taking them, and, in some cases, may exacerbate a patient’s condition.

Geared toward the layman and physician alike, Sanson’s work conveys the experiences of her family members, many of whom have varying degrees of osteoporosis, and presents case studies of women she has counseled.

It is my hope that if you’re a healthy woman, this book by Gillian Sanson will give you the information you need to stop worrying about your bones. At the very least, it will show you how to evaluate whether or not you really need to take medication to prevent something that probably won’t happen in the first place.... Gill Sanson’s book is a well-researched breath of fresh air that will help women everywhere to better trust the wisdom of their bodies.
Christiane Northrup, M.D. Author of The Wisdom of Menopause

Gillian Sanson 's The Myth of Osteoporosis is a must read! Her research shows that much of the hand wringing and concern that has risen from studies were funded by major drug companies. Ms. Sanson's thoughtful book offers hope to the reader and presents alternatives to medication.

Mona M. Chang Vierra Ed.D Chairman, United States Forum 2002-2004

Ms Sanson includes voluminous documentation in her book, showing that the medicalization of older women is based on skimpy to non-existent research, and massive promotions of these products…Any woman who has been diagnosed with osteoporosis on the basis of the BMD test, should read this book and share it with her physician.
Excerpt from The Marketing of Fear - a review by Irene Alleger.
Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, December 2003

This work stands out in the sea of hysterical quasi-medical literature designed to scare us into treatments and drugs that may not always be in our best interests. Its calming tone can encourage us to question the diagnosis of osteoporosis, and investigate all of our options for staying well and maintaining excellent bone health.
The Canadian Women’s Health Network. (Excerpt from review by Barbara Bourrier-LaCroix.)

The Myth of Osteoporosis offers reassurance for women who believe that osteoporosis and its accompanying fragility and loss of independence are inevitable parts of aging. From Resource Database www.womenshealthmatters.ca (Website of Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada)