People who had childhood measles, versus those who did not, were

• 66% less likely to have Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• 40% less likely to have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• 71% less likely to have follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

People who had childhood chickenpox, versus those who did not, were 47% less likely to have Hodgkin’s lymphoma according to a study from Italy.

This is more evidence that childhood illnesses may help to protect us from certain diseases including heart attack, stroke and certain cancers.

People who reported a history of childhood measles were 66% less likely to have Hodgkin’s lymphoma compared with those that reported not having had childhood measles according to a 2005 study.

People who reported a history of childhood chickenpox 47% less likely to have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma compared with those that reported not having had childhood measles according to a 2005 study.