A study was published on Friday showing that osteoporosis increases the patient’s tendency to suffer from esophageal cancer. Drugs such as Boniva, Fosamax or Actonel are supposed to increase the strength of the patient’s bones. Although useful in this regard, the side effects, which would arise after the long term use of these drugs, might require second thoughts.

The study was carried out by a group of British researchers from the Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) proving that patients who abide by drug program of five years are 50% more vulnerable to end up having cancer of the gullet or esophagus.

The research was authored by Jane Green, a Professor at the Cancer Epidemiology Unit of Oxford University, who stated that it is important if the health officials, as well as the patient, would develop awareness about the drugs they consume, thus investigating their benefits and risks.

She added, "In Europe and North America, the incidence of esophageal cancer at the age of 60-79 is typically 1 per 1,000 population over five years, and this is estimated to increase to about 2 per 1,000 with five years' use of oral bisphosphonates”.

The study was published in the British Medical Journal.