Second-To-Fourth Digit Ratio (2D:4D) in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

IF 1.9 4区医学 Q1 ANTHROPOLOGY

American Journal of Human Biology Pub Date : 2026-08-07 DOI:10.1002/ajhb.70321

Abdullah Avcı, Emine Kaplan Serin

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is considered an indirect marker of prenatal sex hormone exposure and has been investigated as a potential indicator of susceptibility to hormone-related diseases, including breast cancer. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the relationship between the 2D:4D finger ratio and breast cancer risk.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched without publication year restrictions. Eligible observational studies were selected using predefined PICOS criteria, and methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists.

Results

Seven observational studies involving 13 556 women (2817 breast cancer cases and 10 739 controls) were included. Most case–control studies reported significantly higher right- and/or left-hand 2D:4D ratios among women with breast cancer than among healthy controls. However, the prospective cohort study reported an association only for the left-hand 2D:4D ratio, whereas the largest multicenter case–control study did not demonstrate a consistent overall association between right- or left-hand 2D:4D ratios and breast cancer risk. Overall, current findings suggest a possible association between higher 2D:4D ratios and breast cancer risk, although substantial heterogeneity exists across studies.

Conclusion

This systematic review suggests that the 2D:4D finger ratio may be associated with breast cancer risk. However, substantial heterogeneity across studies warrants cautious interpretation, and further large prospective studies are needed to clarify its potential role in breast cancer risk assessment.

查看原文本刊更多论文

乳腺癌的第二到第四位数比率（2D:4D）：一项系统综述。

导言：第二指与第四指的比例（2D:4D）被认为是产前性激素暴露的间接标志，并已被研究作为激素相关疾病易感性的潜在指标，包括乳腺癌。本系统综述的目的是评估2D:4D手指比例与乳腺癌风险之间的关系。方法：本系统评价按照PRISMA 2020声明进行。检索PubMed、Scopus和Web of Science，没有出版年份限制。使用预先定义的PICOS标准选择符合条件的观察性研究，并使用乔安娜布里格斯研究所的关键评估清单评估方法学质量。结果：纳入了7项观察性研究，涉及13556名女性（2817名乳腺癌患者和10739名对照组）。大多数病例对照研究报告，乳腺癌妇女的右侧和/或左侧2D:4D比明显高于健康对照组。然而，前瞻性队列研究仅报告了左手2D:4D比例的关联，而最大的多中心病例对照研究并未证明右手或左手2D:4D比例与乳腺癌风险之间存在一致的整体关联。总体而言，目前的研究结果表明，较高的2D:4D比例与乳腺癌风险之间可能存在关联，尽管研究之间存在实质性的异质性。结论：本系统综述提示2D:4D手指比例可能与乳腺癌风险相关。然而，各研究之间的大量异质性值得谨慎解释，需要进一步的大型前瞻性研究来阐明其在乳腺癌风险评估中的潜在作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

American Journal of Human Biology 生物-生物学

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

13.80%

发文量

124

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： The American Journal of Human Biology is the Official Journal of the Human Biology Association. The American Journal of Human Biology is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed, internationally circulated journal that publishes reports of original research, theoretical articles and timely reviews, and brief communications in the interdisciplinary field of human biology. As the official journal of the Human Biology Association, the Journal also publishes abstracts of research presented at its annual scientific meeting and book reviews relevant to the field. The Journal seeks scholarly manuscripts that address all aspects of human biology, health, and disease, particularly those that stress comparative, developmental, ecological, or evolutionary perspectives. The transdisciplinary areas covered in the Journal include, but are not limited to, epidemiology, genetic variation, population biology and demography, physiology, anatomy, nutrition, growth and aging, physical performance, physical activity and fitness, ecology, and evolution, along with their interactions. The Journal publishes basic, applied, and methodologically oriented research from all areas, including measurement, analytical techniques and strategies, and computer applications in human biology. Like many other biologically oriented disciplines, the field of human biology has undergone considerable growth and diversification in recent years, and the expansion of the aims and scope of the Journal is a reflection of this growth and membership diversification. The Journal is committed to prompt review, and priority publication is given to manuscripts with novel or timely findings, and to manuscripts of unusual interest.