Advertisement

Duchess of Cornwall hails huge strides made in osteoporosis since her mother died from the disease

The Duchess of Cornwall marks World Osteoporosis Day - Royal Osteoporosis Society
The Duchess of Cornwall marks World Osteoporosis Day - Royal Osteoporosis Society

The Duchess of Cornwall has acknowledged the “huge strides” made in research into osteoporosis since “the dark old days” when her mother died of the disease 26 years ago.

She expressed hope that one day, the “silent” disease might be brought to an end as she urged people to stay active, even in the midst of a pandemic.

Marking World Osteoporosis Day, the Duchess, whose mother Rosalind Shand died from the fragile bone disease aged 71 in 1994, said: “In those dark old days it was seldom discussed, rarely diagnosed and usually attributed to old women with so-called ‘dowager’s humps’.

“My family and I knew nothing about it and were at a loss to know how we could help alleviate the terrible pain she suffered.

“But how times have changed – today huge strides have been made in the treatment and research into osteoporosis, and we now know how it can be prevented and how we can support those who are living with it.”

The Duchess, 73, noted that it had been “more challenging” to get out and about this year but urged everyone, for the sake of their bones, to stay as active as possible.

“We know it is vital to eat the right food, to take regular and weight- bearing exercise and, so importantly, to educate young people as to how to look after their bone health,” she added.

“For those living with osteoporosis, there is now, thankfully, a wide range of treatments available to slow bone loss and increase bone mass. We are lucky to have brilliant charities all over the world offering practical and emotional help.”

The Duchess said she was proud to be president of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, which she has supported for more than 20 years, becoming its patron in 1997 and then its president in 2001 before she married into the royal family.

She also thanks the scientists who were working so hard to find a cure for the disease, which she said 26 years ago, would have been “beyond my family’s, and many, many others’, wildest dreams.”

The Duchess is hosting a tea at Clarence House on Tuesday for representatives and supporters of the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

Craig Jones, the charity’s chief executive, said: “We warmly welcome this message of support from Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall.

“Osteoporosis affects 3.5m in the UK but is much less well understood than other major health conditions. Crucially, the health of your bones can be improved throughout life by a healthy diet, regular exercise and vitamin D.”