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New Report Links Breastfeeding With Lower Risk Of Childhood Leukemia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Breastfeeding has shown to help prevent allergies, combat obesity and there is a protective effect for infections.

In addition breastfeeding can help with bonding. But a new report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics has a new take on breastfeeding.

It's based on a study from the University of Haifa in Israel which found that breastfeeding for 6 months or more was linked to almost a 20% lower risk of childhood leukemia.

That was compared to children who were breastfed for a shorter time or have never been breastfed. Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and teens.

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