Women’s Health Expert Marla Ahlgrimm – Physical Activity Decreases Breast Cancer Risk

There’s no question that exercise is good for our physical and mental health, says pharmacist and women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm. Experts also tell us that exercise is good for treating many conditions, such as obesity and arthritis, to name a few. Now we can add breast cancer to the list.  Scientists have discovered that exercise alters the way estrogen is metabolized. Because estrogen drives most breast cancers, research suggests that routine physical activity may lower the risk of breast cancer.

Here’s how it works. During exercise, more blood gets pumped to the liver where your body detoxifies many things, including excess estrogen. This is an important step because too much estrogen tends to cause breast cells to divide too quickly, says Marla Ahlgrimm. When breast cells are dividing too fast, they make more genetic mistakes which can lead to cancer.

If you’re exercising, there’s also less of a chance you’re going to be overweight. Women who are overweight have a three times greater risk of breast cancer if they are also over the age of 50, notes Marla Ahlgrimm.

“What I recommend is for women to get at least 30 minutes of  exercise four or five times per week,” Marla Ahlgrimm says.

An important study has also found that for women who have been treated for breast cancer, exercise can reduce the chance that the cancer will return. The study found that patients who exercised three hours a week or more reduced the risk of cancer by 50 percent.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, exercise speeds recovery after surgery, decreases side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, and helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis.