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Comparative Study
. 2011 Jan 4;104(1):175-7.
doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605986. Epub 2010 Nov 30.

Hand pattern indicates prostate cancer risk

A A Rahman  1 , A Lophatananon, S Stewart-Brown, D Harriss, J Anderson, T Parker, D Easton, Z Kote-Jarai, R Pocock, D Dearnaley, M Guy, L O'Brien, R A Wilkinson, A L Hall, E Sawyer, E Page, J-F Liu; UK Genetic Prostate Cancer Study Collaborators; British Association of Urological Surgeons' Section of Oncology; R A Eeles, K Muir
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Hand pattern indicates prostate cancer risk

A A Rahman et al. Br J Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: The ratio of digit lengths is fixed in utero, and may be a proxy indicator for prenatal testosterone levels.

Methods: We analysed the right-hand pattern and prostate cancer risk in 1524 prostate cancer cases and 3044 population-based controls.

Results: Compared with index finger shorter than ring finger (low 2D : 4D), men with index finger longer than ring finger (high 2D : 4D) showed a negative association, suggesting a protective effect with a 33% risk reduction (odds ratio (OR) 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57-0.80). Risk reduction was even greater (87%) in age group <60 (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.09-0.21).

Conclusion: Pattern of finger lengths may be a simple marker of prostate cancer risk, with length of 2D greater than 4D suggestive of lower risk.

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References

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