Accute Lymphoblastic Leukemia - the most common childhood cancer could be prevented with this simple tip.

Scientists have been analyzing over 30 years of data and now believe that our fear of germs and societies push towards antimicrobial cleaners, and hand cleaner has stopped children's immune systems from developing correctly. 

90% of children who develop Accute Lymphoblastic Leukemia  are cured, but wouldn't it be great if we could prevent them having to go through the very difficult treatment required.

Scientific researchers have discovered around 1 in 20 children have a genetic predisposition to Accute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, but if they develop a strong immune system they will likely remain healthy. Whereas those children who have this genetic predisposition and are not exposed to enough microbes in the first year of their life won't develop a strong enough immune system to deal with regular illness's, colds and flu's.

The children then with this predisposition and a weaker immune system are then exposed to a regular cold or flu virus which can trigger a second genetic mutation which makes the child more likely to become sick with Leukemia.

This doesn't mean if you have the genetic predisposition, or you keep an overly clean house, you WILL get childhood cancer, but it makes you more susceptible to this particular cancer.

Researchers suggest that best practice is for your baby to have plenty of exposure to other children and pets in their first year, this helps your baby develop a strong immune system.

Some evidence which lead to this new conclusion

• An outbreak of swine flu in Milan that led to seven children getting leukemia
• Studies showing children who went to daycare or had older siblings, which expose them to bacteria, had lower rates of leukemia
• Breastfeeding - which promotes good bacteria in the gut - protects against leukemia
• Lower rates in children born vaginally than by caesarean section, which transfers fewer microbes
• Animals bred completely free of microbes developed leukemia when exposed to an infection

As with all information about links and causation, there isn't one sole reason a baby or child develops  Accute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and anyone who's child has been through this disease should not feel guilty.

Cleanliness might contribute to the development of this cancer but it isn't the only cause, there needs to be a genetic predisposition which cannot be changes, and other factors yet to be discovered.

But if you have a child under 1, this is a good reason to get together with your coffee group mums, share baby germs and visit a petting zoo!