Bone density screening available at the Sugden Centre

25 Apr 2022

You can book an appointment on Monday, 23 May

In the UK, one in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 fractures a bone. Most of these fractures occur because the individual has osteoporosis. 

More women die each year from fractures caused by osteoporosis than die from breast cancer. This is a frightening and unnecessary statistic for a condition that is frequently preventable and – if diagnosed – treatable.

Tracey from Bone Matters is offering bone density screening appointments on Monday, 23 May at the Sugden Centre. Tests cost £35 and payments can be made at the end of the appointment by either cash or cheque.

Tracey will assess your bone density and fracture risk using a machine called a ‘Quantative Ultrasound Scanner’ or ‘QUS’. The test measures the bone density in your heel, and is very useful for assessing your risk of fracturing (breaking) your legs, arms, hips and wrists – common fracture sites for sufferers of osteoporosis. The machine is safe, painless, and has no side effects! You put your foot in a machine that grips your heel, and ultrasound waves pass through it. Each heel stays in the machine for about two minutes. Although the test itself is not diagnostic, individuals with low scores are given a copy of their results to give to their GP. The test serves as a useful ‘filter’ to help a GP decide whether or not the individual needs further investigation, meaning that it usually speeds up, or improves, the individual’s chances of access to a more detailed diagnostic test.

After the test is completed, your results will be printed off and explained to you. There will also be time for you to ask questions. Along with your results and explanation, you will receive an information pack with evidence-based nutrition, exercise and lifestyle advice to enable you to safeguard yourself against the condition, greatly enhancing your chances of having strong and healthy bones for life.

If you would like to book a test please email tracey@bonematters.org. The appointment will take approximately 15 minutes and results and advice are given immediately.

If you are thinking about having the test, it is recommended that you visit the Bone Matters website first. If you have questions, please feel free to call or text Tracey on 07825 556740 or email tracey@bonematters.org.