Shorter index fingers linked to higher prostate cancer risk

Researchers of the University of Warwick and the Institute of Cancer Research found men with short index fingers are at higher risk of prostate cancer.

The study published in the British Journal of Cancer found men whose index fingers were shorter than their ring fingers were one third more likely to develop prostate cancer, compared with men with their index fingers longer than their ring fingers.

Professor Ros Eeles, coauthor of the study, was cited as saying that the association was particularly strong among younger men like those aged under 60.

Of men aged under 60, those with longer ring fingers were 87 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer, the study found.

In a press release, the University said the relative length of index and ring fingers is determined before birth.  It is believed that high levels of testosterone the baby is exposed to in the womb are linked to a shorter index finger. Research suggests that exposure to more testosterone before birth boosts prostate cancer risk later in life.

One case-control study involving 222 men with developed prostate cancer showed high levels of circulating testosterone were associated with increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

The study was led by Gann P.H. and colleagues from Harvard Medical School in Boston Massachusetts and published in the Aug 1006 issue of Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Another study published in 205 in Personality and Individual Differences found men with longer ring fingers or shorter index fingers were more physically aggressive than those with a shorter ring finger.

The study involved 300 University of Alberta male students.  But the aggressiveness linked to the finger length was physical, but not verbal or emotional.

Aggressiveness is known to be associated with male sex hormone levels. Men with high testosterone are known to be more aggressive sexually among other things.

So these studies suggest those who have high levels of testosterone or have a longer ring finger relative to the index finger are more are more likely to be aggressive and at high risk of prostate cancer.

Jimmy Downs