Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and prostate cancer risk in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study

Muller DC, Giles GG, Manning JT, Hopper JL, English DR, Severi G (2011) Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and prostate cancer risk in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. Br J Cancer 105:438-440

BACKGROUND: The ratio of the lengths of index and ring fingers (2D:4D) is a marker of prenatal exposure to sex hormones, with low 2D:4D being indicative of high prenatal androgen action. Recent studies have reported a strong association between 2D:4D and risk of prostate cancer. METHODS: A total of 6258 men participating in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study had 2D:4D assessed. Of these men, we identified 686 incident prostate cancer cases. Hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for a standard deviation increase in 2D:4D.Results:No association was observed between 2D:4D and prostate cancer risk overall (HRs 1.00; 95% CIs, 0.92-1.08 for right, 0.93-1.08 for left). We observed a weak inverse association between 2D:4D and risk of prostate cancer for age <60, however="" 95%="" cis="" included="" unity="" for="" all="" observed="" ages.="" conclusion:="" our="" results="" are="" not="" consistent="" with="" an="" association="" between="" 2d:4d="" and="" overall="" prostate="" cancer="" risk,="" but="" we="" cannot="" exclude="" a="" weak="" inverse="" association="" between="" 2d:4d="" and="" early="" onset="" prostate="" cancer="">