Important, For Men: A long ring finger may mean you're a prostate cancer risk (with illustration)

Daily Mail ^ | 9:56 AM on 21st July 2010 | Pat Hagan

[rawhide]

Men with a long ring finger could be three times more likely to develop prostate cancer, research shows.

Doctors found that the risk increases if the ring finger on the right hand is significantly longer than the index finger next to the thumb.

But men whose ring fingers are only slightly longer, or are about the same length, are much less likely to get the disease.

The findings open up the possibility of screening men with longer fingers at an early age for signs of cancer. In the study, blood tests showed that men with longer ring fingers on their right hand had higher levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA).

This chemical is sometimes found in high levels in blood when cancer is present. The right hand was studied because the difference between the length of its ring finger and index finger is often greater than on the left, as it is more sensitive to hormonal changes in the womb.

The results are the latest in a long line of studies linking finger length to men's health, most of which highlight the benefits of a long ring finger.

They had their fingers measured from the crease where the finger joins the hand to the tip. Blood tests showed that men with much longer ring fingers had almost double the levels of PSA found in the blood of those with shorter fingers.

Three times as many of these men went on to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Researchers writing in the British Journal of Urology online said the 'digit ratio' - the difference in length between ring and index finger - could be used to predict which men could get cancer. 'Digit ratio is a predictor of high PSA levels and the presence of prostate cancer,' they said.

[TheThirdRuffian]

“Thanks . The good news just keeps rolling in.”

It means you are a man, not a metrosexual.

Real men do things. This includes stupid things.

[mad_as_he$$]

I had a female Dr try and do a prostrate exam on me once. Her fingers were so short she couldn’t git er done. After about two minutes I asked if this meant we were married.

[rolling_stone]

hmmm ok how about if your big toe is shorter than the one next to it, what does that signify?

[cicero2k]

Well just shoot me now. I’m 58 and have a much longer ring finger. I didn’t even have to measure it. My ring finger was longer than the index finger even though it starts lower on the hand. Woe is me.

I hope you have had your PSA tested. I'm also 58, been treated for prostate cancer twice. It is in remission but I fully expect it back in 10 years or so.

BTW, ring finger about 1/4 inch longer than index. Don't know if significant.

[redangus]

I get tested yearly and haven’t had any issues yet. Hope you have it licked this time.

[martin_fierro]

[Logic n' Reason]

Mine are "dead even"....!!

Now what do I do????

Is there an operation I can have done that will shorten my ring finger by a little??

And now I know why all them wimmin (and some boys) want to hold my hand............they're MEASURING!!!

[martin_fierro]

[martin_fierro]

Mine are "dead even"....!! Now what do I do????

See #26, Big Fella.

[ops33]

What a load of crapola. Mine are the same and on Monday I will finish my 44 days of proton radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Hope it works.

[T Minus Four]

Well just shoot me now. I’m 58 and have a much longer ring finger

You think you've got it bad? My ring finger is much longer and I'm a woman! I'd rather have prostate cancer than be a lesbian. They can cure cancer.

[goseminoles]

Just make sure that when getting your prostate checked, the Dr doesn’t have both hands on your shoulders.

[al baby]

Funny that you say that my old urologist “he recently passed” was a dear friend and a great Dr. And he would kid around about that stuff Had some real funny stories about the Guys being scared to death shaking and stuff I miss that old guy No not in that way

[al baby]

Hey Obama your Proctologist called they found your brain

[firebrand]

My physiology professor was the one who measured all the penises in the medical exams for the military in WWII. When you read about the average length, that’s where it came from.

[cicero2k]

Had to work the numbers on this:

16% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

12% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and have their ring finger longer than their index. Put another way, there's an 88% chance they will never be diagnosed but still have their ring finger longer than their index.

[firebrand]

You’ll probably never be a prima ballerina.

[redangus]

If you haven’t been dragged over to the dark side by 58 you are probably safe.

[T Minus Four]

Wwll, truthfully I’m 53 so I suppose I have to worry about latency for a few more years. But I’m throwing out all my flats!

[Mr. Blonde]

Plus if you got prostate cancer you would end up in all the medical books. Might not be the best thing to be remembered for, but hey, better than nothing.