Building awareness of a silent epidemic

It was only when UniSA architecture student Andrew Wishart fractured a rib after doing a simple thing, pushing a cupboard at home, that he thought about the possibility he may have a bigger problem. He was forty one years old and enjoying an active social life – osteoporosis was the last thing on his mind.

But two years later, Andrew is the Australian spokesperson for male osteoporosis sufferers and is determined to help raise greater awareness of the crippling disease.

"I always thought osteoporosis was a women’s disease, so it was a shock when my doctor referred me to a specialist for a bone density test," says Andrew.

"When the test came back to say I had severe osteoporosis, I did some investigations and found it was in my family history.

"The more I researched the disease, the more I realised that men suffer from osteoporosis almost as much as women, especially later in life. Not many people know that and we really need greater awareness.

In Australia, one in three men over 60 suffers a fracture due to osteoporosis. The rate is similar to the worldwide rate for women, which is generally estimated as one in three women over 50.

A new International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) report Osteoporosis in Men: The silent epidemic strikes men too, says that men sustain fractures more severely in terms of the quality and quantity of their lives than when fractures occur in women.

Today, the lack of awareness of osteoporosis and fractures as a disease in men is similar to the lack of awareness in women 50 years ago. It is a silent epidemic that does not discriminate and Andrew is doing his bit to redress the balance.

In the lead up to World Osteoporosis Day (October 20, 2004), Andrew joins representatives from Australia’s sporting, entertainment and medical industries to promote a greater awareness of this silent disease.

On Wednesday October 13 Andrew and identities Mark Holden, Mal Meninga and sports journalist Peter Fitzsimmons along with leading medical experts, participate in a national media forum and a fundraising lunch in Sydney.

Andrew then unites with Dr Norman Swan (ABC Radio National) and scientists, researchers and doctors on World Osteoporosis Day (Wednesday October 20) to hold a satellite television program on the silent disease, also being distributed on video nationwide to doctors.

"The lack of information, especially with regards to how osteoporosis affects younger men, made me feel like an old man," says Andrew.

"I want to help people become more aware of the health of their bones and what they can do to help prevent its onset."

Andrew said he was also grateful for the support and understanding of the staff at UniSA, particularly those in the Louis Laybourne Smith School of Architecture and Design.

"Without their help, I would not be able to continue pursuing my dream of becoming an architect," says Andrew.