New research has found the length of a man's fingers can provide clues to his risk of prostate cancer.
A study published in the British Journal of Cancer found men whose index finger is longer than their ring finger are less likely to develop the disease.
The BBC reports the hands of 1500 prostate cancer patients were compared with with 3000 healthy men.
The length of the fingers is fixed before birth and is thought to relate to sex hormone levels in the womb.
Being exposed to less testosterone before birth results in a longer index finger and may protect against prostate cancer later in life.
Professor Ros Eeles said more studies would be needed, but if these confirmed the findings, it could be used a simple test for prostate cancer risk.
The study was funded by Prostate Action and Cancer Research UK.
However, Dr Helen Rippon, head of research at The Prostate Cancer Charity said men with shorter index fingers should not be unduly worried.
