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• May 15, 2008 8:55 am US/Mountain
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  Study: Day Care Can Reduce Risks Of Leukemia

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Study: Day Care Can Reduce Risks Of Leukemia

(CBS4) A new study by the University of California at Berkeley and published in the British Cancer Journal suggests children who are exposed to germs with other children at places like day cares are less likely to develop leukemia.

The earlier the social interaction the better because the review of 14 studies showed children who started daycare at age 1 or 2 had the most protection, said Patricia Buffler, a cancer epidemiologist at the UC-Berkeley.

The study found the children had a 30 percent lower risk of developing the most common form of childhood leukemia.

"That might help the body produce certain antibodies," said Dr. Kenneth Gottesman of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital.

CBS4 medical editor Dr. Dave Hnida points out that a 30 percent drop is not a 100 percent drop. He added the study does raise interesting theories on how the immune system matures as a child is exposed to germs.

Childhood leukemia only affects a small percentage of people. Doctors said parents should not go out of their way to expose their children to illness.

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