Here's a story that made me grab my husband's hand for a whole new reason. Research published in the British Journal of Cancer indicates that finger length could be a marker for prostate cancer risk. To reach this conclusion, the researchers studied the fingers of 1,500 men with prostate cancer and 3,000 who were healthy. They determined that those who had an index finger that was longer than their ring finger were a third less likely to develop prostate cancer. The connection? The authors explain that longer index fingers can indicate lower testosterone levels. Naturally high levels of testosterone have been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. One of the lead researchers calls the finding "exciting" explaining that finger patterns could potentially help doctors identify men who need additional screening or genetic testing.
To read an abbreviated version of the study in the British Journal of Cancer, click here:
http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/6605986a.html
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