(CBS) — It sounds strange but researchers now think the common cold and other viruses may actually save young kids from a potentially deadly disease.

Daycare may protect children from a form of cancer.

According to a recent study kids who attend daycare could have a 30 percent lower risk of developing childhood leukemia.

If that seems hard to believe listen to this doctor.

"Send your children to daycare, let them eat dirt, let them have lots of early infections, it's good for them,” said Dr. Adrienne Morgan of the charity Children with Leukemia.

We asked another doctor, Kenneth Gottesman of St. Luke’s-Roosevelt, to help explain why it's good for them.

He says the theory goes like this: Unlike stay-at-home kids, young children in daycare are exposed to plenty of colds and other illness.

"Pthogens, germs, virus, bacteria,” explained Gottesman.

And so their immune system is challenged at a very early age.

"That might help the body produce certain antibodies,” Gottesman said.

And that might protect against childhood leukemia, which usually strikes between the ages of 2 and 5.

Childhood leukemia only affects a small percentage of kids so doctors say parents shouldn't purposely expose their children to illness. But going to daycare or hanging out at the playground on a regular basis should do the trick.

"I think these exposures are part of growing up and in general they're minor, mild illnesses,” Gottesman said.

And early exposure has another benefit.

"Exposing my child to other children is good for general immunity. I mean otherwise if I keep her closed up at home she wouldn't be, she would probably be very sick when I put her in school,” one parent said.

Getting sick now may keep them from getting sick later.