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As many as 2 million Canadians have osteoporosis, a condition that can lead to debilitating fractures that can often shorten their lives.

That's why doctors have been eager to encourage those at risk to undergo a test called bone mineral density, to assess their need for treatment.

But a new study finds that many older women with good strong bones may not need the test as often as once thought. In fact, in some cases, women who get a good test result at age 65 might not need to be tested again until they're 80.

The study was based at 5,000 women over the age of 65 who took part in a long-running osteoporosis study in the U.S. All of the women underwent a bone mineral density test at age 67 to establish a baseline measurement of the level of minerals in their bones.

The bad news from the study was that even if the women had just minor signs of thinning bones, 10 per cent were at risk of developing osteoporosis within five years. Some even developed it in as little as one year.

But the good news was that among the women with the healthiest bone at age 67, very few went on to develop osteoporosis in the next few years.

It was a surprising finding, says lead scientist Dr. Margaret L. Gourlay, an assistant family medicine professor the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"I can see doctors ordering tests less often and worrying less about bone health of women in that good group," she told Â鶹´«Ã½.

The study found that if a woman's bone density at age 67 is good, itwas not likely to change over the next few years. And for about 10 per cent of the women in the highest bone density ranges, it would take about 15 years to develop osteoporosis.

"That was longer than we expected, and it's great news for this group of women," Gourlay said.

In Canada, bone density scans are generally recommended every five years for those over the age of 65. But some doctors in North America are using the test on healthy, older women every year or two. This study suggests that's not necessary.

"So what we want to do is screen smarter, use the test appropriately, and not always screen more," says Gourlay.

Not only would screening less often relieve women of the stress of going for the tests, it could mean savings for the health care system, since each test costs between $50 and $100.

Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou, a geriatrician at Hamilton Health Sciences, and scientific advisor for Osteoporosis Canada, says the concern for yer is that women and men at risk of fractures are not getting tested enough for osteoporosis.

All women over age over 65 are at risk of osteoporosis, as are men over the age of 70. But younger adults are also at risk too if they:

• have had a broken bone caused by normal activities, such as a fall
• have chronic rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, or eating disorders
• early menopause
• take corticosteroid medications such as prednisone, methylprednisolone
• have taken hormone treatment for prostate cancer or breast cancer
• smoke
• have a strong family history of osteoporosis
• drink 3 or more drinks of alcohol per day most days

Papaioannou says these people are not being screened for osteoporosis enough.

"Currently in Canada, many of those individuals – in fact, less than 30 per cent -- receive osteoporosis assessment and treatment," she said.

"We know this group is not being appropriately assessed."

The study concluded that looking at that first baseline BMD test result is the most important factor for doctors to consider in determining how often a patient should be screened as they age.

"Doctors may adjust these time intervals for a number of reasons, but our results offer an evidence-based starting point for this clinical decision," the authors conclude.

With a report from CTV's medical specialist Avis Favaro and producer Elizabeth St. Philip