Great British Bone Check - fAQs

What is the Great British Bone Check?

The Great British Bone Check is an online tool to help you understand your bone health and the different risk factors for developing osteoporosis and having broken bones in the future.

The short survey will help you understand if you have any key risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones. It takes less than three minutes to complete and will give you your personalised bone health results. The Great British Bone Check and follow up emails also provide useful information and practical tips to help you take positive steps to look after your  bone health.

By understanding your chance of developing osteoporosis or having broken bones in the future, you can take action to protect your bone health and if needed, start a conversation with your GP.

The Great British Bone Check is designed to help you understand the risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones, but it is not a diagnostic tool. Only a healthcare professional can diagnose osteoporosis and assess your chance of breaking a bone.

Visit thegreatbritishbonecheck.org.uk to start the Great British Bone Check now.

 

Why should I care about my bone health?

One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. But it doesn’t need to be like this – osteoporosis is treatable and many fractures can be prevented.

Taking care of your bones can help you to stay strong, active and independent throughout your life. And it’s never too early or too late to start looking after your bone health.

 

Who is the Great British Bone Check for?

The Great British Bone Check has been developed for people in the UK aged 18 years and over.

Anyone can use the Great British Bone Check to learn more about their bone health and understand their risk of osteoporosis and broken bones. However, it is not designed for people who have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis or have had their bone health assessed by a healthcare professional.

If you’ve already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, we’d love your help to spread the word and encourage your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to check their bone health!

The web address for the Great British Bone Check is thegreatbritishbonecheck.org.uk

To share the Great British Bone Check online, it’s as simple as sharing the link with others or following us on social media (@RoyalOsteoSoc) and sharing our posts about the Great British Bone Check.

And remember, we have lots of information and support for you to help you understand and manage your osteoporosis.

 

How was the Great British Bone Check developed?

The content for the Great British Bone Check was developed with input from clinical experts, our specialist osteoporosis nurses, people with lived experience of osteoporosis and our Health Information team.

It was also created with input and support from, which included healthcare professionals from a wide range of relevant areas and roles to ensure the tool is clinically accurate.

The online tool was then tested by existing volunteers, staff and new audiences to make sure it is easy to use and provides helpful information.

The Great British Bone Check was designed to help people understand the different risk factors that can increase their chance of developing osteoporosis and broken bones. It is not a diagnostic tool. Only a healthcare professional can diagnose osteoporosis and asses your personal risk.

 

What types of results can people get?

The answers you provide in the Great British Bone Check will help determine your personalised results and recommendations.

There are three broad types of result:

1. Key risk factors to be aware of: If your answers show you have key risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones (for example, women under 50 with an early menopause or people taking long-term oral steroids or drug treatments for breast or prostate cancer) and you haven’t already had a bone health assessment or are not on osteoporosis medicine, you will be encouraged to make an appointment with your GP to start a conversation about your bone health. The tool also gives you information to help you look after your bones, such as eating a balanced diet with calcium and taking vitamin D as recommended.
2. Some risk factors to keep in mind: If your answers show you have some risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones, you’ll be encouraged to discuss your bone health with your GP the next time you speak to them. In the meantime, you’ll receive information on healthy habits to keep your bones strong, such as exercising regularly.
3. No main risk factors identified: If your answers show you do not currently have any of the main risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones, we’ll let you know. We’ll also give you information to help you reduce your chance of osteoporosis and broken bones in the future.

It is important to remember that new risk factors can develop over time. For example, as we age our bones naturally loose strength or we may develop a new medical condition. Regularly checking in on your bone health can help you stay well and protect your bone health long term.  

 

My results say I have key risk factors, does that mean I have osteoporosis?

The Great British Bone Check is a tool to help you learn about your bone health and different risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones. It is not a diagnostic tool, only a healthcare professional can diagnose osteoporosis and assess your chance of breaking a bone.

Your results are based on the information you provide, so they should be seen as a guide rather than a definitive answer. Having key risk factors does not mean you definitely have osteoporosis, and not having them does not guarantee you won’t develop it. Risk factors are anything that can increase your chance of osteoporosis and broken bones.

If your results identify you have key risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional to discuss your bone health and the next steps for you.

 

I think my results are wrong

The Great British Bone Check is a tool to help you understand and learn about the risk factors that can increase the chance of developing osteoporosis and broken bones. It is not a diagnostic tool. Only a healthcare professional can diagnose osteoporosis and assess your chance of breaking a bone.

The tool generates results based on the answers you provide. These results are based on clinical guidelines and expert consensus, but they are an indication of possible risk rather than a diagnosis.

If you have specific concerns or want personal advice, please always talk to a healthcare professional to discuss your bone health and next steps for you.

 

I have osteoporosis/low bone density, but my results say that I don’t have any key risk factors?

The Great British Bone Check is for people who have not had their bone health assessed by a healthcare professional. It helps people to understand the different risk factors that can increase the chance of developing osteoporosis and broken bones.

If you already have an osteoporosis diagnosis, the results may not fully or accurately reflect your situation. This is because the tool is not designed for people who already know they have osteoporosis.

If you have specific concerns or want personal advice about your osteoporosis, please talk to a healthcare professional to discuss your bone health. We also have lots of information and support for you to help you understand and manage your osteoporosis.

 

I think I might have osteoporosis. What should I do?

If you’re worried about your bone health and your results show some of the key risk factors for osteoporosis and broken bones, it’s important to talk to your GP. Only a healthcare professional can assess your bone health and discuss what next steps might be best for you. This could include lifestyle changes, a referral for further tests, or bone-strengthening medicines, if you need one.

In the meantime, there’s plenty you can do to support your bones and overall health. Our website has practical tips, easy-to-follow guidance, and helpful information on diet, exercise, and daily habits that can help keep your bones strong. Remember, you can take positive steps now to look after your bones, and it’s never too early or too late to start.

Learn more about bone health.

 

I don’t understand my results

The Great British Bone Check is designed to help you understand risk factors that can increase your chance of developing osteoporosis and broken bones. It is not a diagnostic tool. Only a healthcare professional can assess your bone health and give you a diagnosis.

Your results are based on the answers you provide and are meant as a guide to help you understand your potential risk factors and take steps to look after your bones.

Most people who use the Great British Bone Check won’t have any major risk factors for osteoporosis. A smaller number of people may have some key risk factors, and it’s a good idea for them to discuss these with a healthcare professional.

No matter what your results show, the tool gives you helpful information to support your bone health, including guidance on diet, exercise, and vitamin D.

If you’re unsure about your results, or want personalised advice, please always talk to your GP.

Learn more about bone health.

 

I’ve made an appointment with my GP but I don’t know what to say?

A great way to prepare for your appointment is to print out your personalised results and take them with you. Your results can help you to start a conversation with your GP, including any concerns or questions you may have.

You can also check out our ‘Talking to your GP about your bone health’ resources which offer tips on what to ask, what to expect, and practical information to help you feel confident and informed during your appointment.

 

I’ve tried to complete the Great British Bone Check, but the tool isn’t working on my device.

The Great British Bone Check should work on most devices and web browsers. But if you’re having trouble, try to complete it on another device or browser.

 

How do I get my personalised report?

After completing the Great British Bone Check, your results will be shown on the final web page. You can also enter your email address to receive an email with a printable PDF copy of your personalised results.

This makes it easy to save or print your results, whether you want to refer to them later or discuss them with a healthcare professional if necessary.

 

What happens after I’ve used the Great British Bone Check?

If you provided your email address on the final web page, you will receive an email with a printable PDF copy of your personalised results.

Over the next seven weeks, you’ll also receive five more emails with helpful information and practical tips to look after your bone health.

 

How will my data be used?

We will use the information you provide when completing the Great British Bone check to provide an indication of your chance of developing osteoporosis. 

If you provide us with an email address during this process, we will send you your personalised results along with five follow up emails with information and tips to support about keeping your bones healthy.

You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time.

We will also use the anonymised results to further our charitable purposes by, for example, producing statistics based on the responses provided. When we do this, we will ensure that you will not be identifiable from the information that we use.

Find out more in our privacy policy.

 

Why are you asking about the menopause?

When you reach the menopause, your ovaries stop producing as much of the hormone oestrogen. Oestrogen helps to keep bones strong, so women lose bone strength more quickly for a few years around the time of the menopause.

This information helps the Great British Bone Check give you a more accurate picture of factors that may affect your bone health.

Learn more about bone health and the menopause.

 

Why are you asking about hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

HRT can help to prevent bone loss and reduce your chance of developing osteoporosis and breaking bones while you're taking it.

This information helps the Great British Bone Check give you a more accurate picture of factors that may affect your bone health.

Learn more about bone health and HRT.

 

Why are you asking about my family history of hip fractures, not just my family history of osteoporosis?

Your bone health is largely dependent on the genes that are passed down from your parents. There are no specific tests that can assess how your genes might affect your bone health. But research has shown that if a parent breaks a hip, you may have a higher chance of osteoporosis and breaking bones. Especially if your parent was younger than 70 when they broke their hip.

A parent having osteoporosis and no broken hip, is less likely to increase your chance of osteoporosis and breaking bones.

This information helps the Great British Bone Check give you a more accurate picture of factors that may affect your bone health.

 

How can I feed back about the Great British Bone Check?

We welcome feedback about the Great British Bone Check. This can be provided by emailing riskchecker@theros.org.uk or calling 01761 473142.

 

Do you plan to update the Great British Bone Check?

Yes. We regularly review and update the Great British Bone Check (at least every three years) to make sure it remains evidence-based, up to date, and easy to use. We also take into account feedback from users and healthcare professionals when making improvements.

The Great British Bone Check  was last reviewed in April 2025.

 

Should everyone speak to their GP about their bone health?

Not everyone who complete the Great British Bone Check will need to speak to their GP about their bone health. The Great British Bone Check is designed to help you learn about your bone health and identify whether you have any risk factors that might increase your chance of developing osteoporosis.

Many people who use the tool won’t need to speak to their GP, but may still find the information and tips helpful for keeping their bones strong and healthy now and in the future.

If your results suggest you have key risk factors, it’s a good idea to talk to your GP, who can assess your bone health and advise on next steps, including lifestyle changes, tests you may need, or treatments that may be suitable for you.