According to researchers at Britain’s Warwick University and the Institute of Cancer Research, men whose index finger is longer than (or the same length as) their ring-finger were at a reduced risk of developing the disease—one-third less likely in fact.
According to the study, which appears in the [November, 2010 issue of the British Journal of Cancer](http://http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/6605986a.html “”) (requires paid access), scientists believe that the relative length of these fingers, which is set at birth, may be related to the levels of sex hormones to which a developing fetus is exposed to in the womb. They believe that being exposed to less testosterone before birth reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer later in life. The link exists because genes known as HOXA and HOXD control both finger length and the development of sex organs.
In men younger than 60 the reduced risk was found to be even greater, at 87%.
Previous studies have demonstrated links between finger length and aggression, fertility, sporting ability and confidence, and reaction times.
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