7 Healthcast: Osteoporosis

It's estimated that older women in America suffer 700,000 spinal fractures each year, the most common fractures caused by osteoporosis.

75 percent of these women never know it, believing it's simply back pain. Researchers say that can be a serious, even deadly mistake.

"That's one of the issues with spine fractures," said Jane Cauley of the University of Pittsburgh. "They're very disabling; they're a very strong risk for future fractures. They're associated with increased mortality and yet many women have a fracture and don't know it."

In a report in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association, Cauley and a team of researchers found that a single bone mineral density test can predict a woman's risk of developing spinal fractures up to 15 years before they happen. The test, which calculates the amount of mineral in the bone, can also predict future fractures.

"Women that entered the study with an existing spine fracture were four times more likely to develop new fractures over the course of 15 years," Cauley said.

Ruth Chester was one of 10,000 women who participated in this study.

"I think it's important for a doctor to know who is at risk for those things," said study participant Ruth Chester.

Researchers are now strongly encouraging women over 50 to consider getting a bone mineral density test, and they say all women over 65 should definitely have one. 

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