Risk of Prostate Cancer

gynn · 01-12-2010, 13:24

BBC News - Index finger length prostate cancer clue

I checked the date before posting this, as I thought it might be an April Fool.

But it seems there is some degree of logic about it. If your index finger on your right hand is longer than your ring finger, you are one-third less likely to get prostate cancer later in life. All down to indicators of the levels of testosterone you were exposed to in the womb.

I've just checked. Yippeeeee!

katex · 01-12-2010, 13:48

Gonna' have quite a lot of neurotic men out there now !

This is one difference between male and females too, Gynn, women's index fingers are longer than the ring finger; in the male the other way around.

Testosterone .. could be .. I would be worried about the feminine slant of this if I were a man...

cashman · 01-12-2010, 13:51

well whatever makes ya happy,

frankly i don't give a toss, when yer clockcards pulled its goodnight vienna.

MargaretR · 01-12-2010, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

women's index fingers are longer than the ring finger

Mine aren't

katex · 01-12-2010, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

Mine aren't

Have to hold your hand straight up in front of your face, palm towards you ... try that...

MargaretR · 01-12-2010, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Have to hold your hand straight up in front of your face, palm towards you ... try that...

That way the index finger is longer - now I am even more baffled

Balbus · 01-12-2010, 14:23

Whatever the length of your digits, if you're over 55 (and male), get your PSA level tested. It's a blood test - sample taken by your GP. Don't wait for the symptoms to become apparent, it may be too late. If Prostate Cancer is caught early enough, it can be successfully treated - preferably by the "magic seeds" (brachytherapy).

katex · 01-12-2010, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

That way the index finger is longer - now I am even more baffled

I know.. bit like a magic trick. It was just one of those bits of conversation stopper's information you pick up now and then.

katex · 01-12-2010, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balbus

Whatever the length of your digits, if you're over 55 (and male), get your PSA level tested. It's a blood test - sample taken by your GP. Don't wait for the symptoms to become apparent, it may be too late. If Prostate Cancer is caught early enough, it can be successfully treated - preferably by the "magic seeds" (brachytherapy).

Well said Balbus ... could give men the idea that they will not develope it if their index finger is shorter than their ring finger.

accyman · 01-12-2010, 15:13

the only index finger you should take notice of is the doctors index finger when hes having a good rummage around.I used to wonder why my female friends used to make remarks about the size of each others doctors hands but i dont wonder no more

not that they use the whole hand lol

Romps · 01-12-2010, 15:54

I recently lost someone very close to prostate cancer, he was 43 and was diagnosed at 38. I was holding his hand when he died, it was not nice to see. Guys never let a doctor/consultant or anyone tell you that you are too young to have prostate cancer, chances are you won't have it, but that was not the case for my brother. If you are ever in any doubt please get a second opinion. xx

Margaret Pilkington · 01-12-2010, 15:58

It is impostant that the blood test is done before any digital examination is performed.....as a digital examination will raise the levels of PSA.
To get this into perspective, the scientists are just using a correlation of facts.......and they are surmising that high levels of testosterone while a baby is developing may cause the discrepancy in finger lengths.

You can read all sorts of theories on what links there are to various cancers......for example today they are telling us that eating five portions of fruit or veg per day won't protect from cancer....and it won't, but those folk who tend to eat five portions of fruit and veg, it could be argued, take more care and responsibility for their health and well being.

I just take all these reports with a pinch of salt.

Balbus · 01-12-2010, 17:17

The pinch of salt won't do your blood pressure any good.

Less · 01-12-2010, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Gonna' have quite a lot of neurotic men out there now !

This is one difference between male and females too, Gynn, women's index fingers are longer than the ring finger; in the male the other way around.

Testosterone .. could be .. I would be worried about the feminine slant of this if I were a man...

Let's face it, anything like this about either sex has people checking, (not a bad thing I suppose).

Women's index fingers of course are longer, they extend them to put the blame on their fellas!

Just checked mine they seem to be the same length, could this be because I've worn my index finger down dealing with this persistent itch I've got right up my ar..?

katex · 01-12-2010, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Less

Just checked mine they seem to be the same length, could this be because I've worn my index finger down dealing with this persistent itch I've got right up my ar..?

Nah, you just got thread worms.