Dermatoglyphics in the identification of women either with or at risk for breast cancer

✍ Scribed by Seltzer, Murray H. ;Plato, Chris C. ;Fox, Kathleen M.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1990
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 617 KB
• Volume: 37
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0148-7299
• DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.1320370412

✦ Synopsis

Fingerprints and palm prints were studied in 78 breast cancer patients, 391 patients at increased risk for developing breast cancer, and 64 control patients for the purpose of finding a pattern that would identify those women with breast cancer or those who are predisposed to its development.

A pattern of 6 or more digital whorls was identified more frequently in women with breast cancer than in those without the disease ( P < 0.01). This finding was independent of known risk factors for breast cancer and was present in 28% of the cancer patients. No correlation was noticed between palm prints and breast cancer.

The positive predictive value of 6 or more digital whorls was comparable to that of mammography and that of breast biopsy. With increasing age there was an increase in the positive predictive value associated with 6 or more digital whorls.

It is concluded that digital dermatoglyphics may have a future role in identifying women either with or at increased risk for breast cancer such that either risk reduction measures or earlier therapy may be instituted.