Can Daycare Help Lessen Kids' Cancer Risk?

Study Says Kids Build A Stronger Immunity as the Result of Child Care

We've debated the merits and downsides of placing kids in daycare settings for generations, but researchers have found a new twist to an old argument. A new child health study says that kids who attend day care or participate actively in play groups have a 30 percent less chance of developing a life-threatening cancer.

The reason? Researchers found that youngsters who have regular contact with their peers are exposed to a multitude of infections and as a result will be more likely to develop a stronger immune system. This in turn can help kids' bodies fight the development of the most common form of childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells).

The research examined 14 studies of more than 20,000 children. Author of the study and professor of epidemiology at the University of California Patricia Buffler indicated that the study is the first to make a direct link between social contact and leukemia, which affects about 1 in 2,000 kids between the ages of two and five. The analysis may bolster a common belief that kids exposed to common childhood infections early in life gain immunity protection from certain diseases or illnesses. And any parent with kids in daycare knows that if a child comes to daycare sick, chances are good that most kids will end up with the same illness within the week.

Doctors responding to the study have indicated that children new to daycare do seem to be the first to catch easily-spread illnesses such as upper respiratory, viral or gastric types while those who have been in group child settings on a regular basis seem to be able to better manage exposures.

This doesn't mean parents should rush kids out to be in group settings, but does seem to be one plus that can be used in determining whether to place kids in daycare or play group settings prior to starting school. As with any medical issue, parents are advised to discuss matters with their child's pediatrician to make the best informed decision that meets the needs of their particular child and family.