Second to fourth digit ratio (2D: 4D) and prostate cancer risk in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
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
o
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 risk.
: 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
o
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 risk.
Date Issued
2011-07-26
ISSN
0007-0920
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Start Page
438
End Page
440
Journal / Book Title
British Journal of Cancer
Volume
105
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2011 Cancer Research UK All rights reserved
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000293168200016&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Oncology
ONCOLOGY
digit ratio
2D:4D
prostate cancer
cohort study
DIMORPHISM
PREDICTOR
CHILDREN
HORMONE
Aged
Cohort Studies
Fingers
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prostatic Neoplasms
Risk Factors
1112 Oncology And Carcinogenesis
Oncology & Carcinogenesis
Publication Status
Published