Small Ring Finger Size May Mean Men Have a Better Chance of Beating Prostate Cancer
There is absolutely no doubt that a doctor with shorter fingers can make a prostate exam a little bit easier on a guy, but now a new study actually suggests that men with short ring fingers might have a better chance at surviving prostate cancer.
Researchers say their data indicates that men suffering from prostate cancer often responded better to an anti-tumor medication if their ring finger was shorter than their index finger.
Researchers are saying that their findings support previous research that shows men with short ring fingers have lower testosterone levels, which has been known to cause the development of prostate tumors.
The study, which was comprised of 142 participants aged 40 and under, found that men with short ring fingers had a better reaction to dutasteride, a cancer combatant that works by blocking the effects of testosterone on the prostate.
Interestingly, some of the same previous research has also connected finger length to other health conditions like heart disease, osteoarthritis, depression and Motor Neuron Disease.
To help legitimize the finger-prostate theory, researchers say that the difference in length between two fingers is determined by the level of testosterone a baby is exposed to while in the womb, and because of this, they believe that varying finger lengths can effect ones health as the get older.
Researchers also add that while men typically have longer ring fingers, women tend to have ring and index fingers similar in length.
So, if at this point in the article, you are staring at your long ring finger wondering if you are doomed, the answer is, maybe.
Results from the study did find there was a significant larger reduction in men with short ring fingers after the six-month treatment compared to men with long ring fingers.
However, regardless of your finger size, if you are a man over the age of 40, it is important to start receiving yearly prostate exams.