Introduction: Dermatoglyphics is considered as a window of congenital abnormalities and is a sensitive indicator of intrauterine anomalies. They have proved to be a helpful adjunct to other diagnostic methods in identifying specific syndromes of genetic origin. The present study was conducted to determine prevalent dermatoglyphic pattern and blood group type in breast cancer patients.

Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of Anatomy on 40 patients of breast cancer and equal number of control. The subjects were asked to wash both hands with soap and water which removed the dirt and grease. A small dab of ink was placed on the inking slab and spread with the inked roller to cover the whole area of palm to be printed for examination and pattern was obtained on A 4 paper. The qualitative parameters observed were: the types of fingerprint patterns of individual digit or finger i.e loop, arch, whorl. The blood group of patients was collected from medical records and those of controls was obtained from documented blood group records.

Results: Both groups had 40 subjects each. Most common pattern was whorl (26.3) in group I (controls) and ulnar loops in group II (cancer patients). Relationship of ulnar loops in Control group and Breast cancer group was statistically significant due to low number of ulnar loops in control group (p<0.001). Relationship of whorls in Control group and Breast cancer group was statistically significant (p<0.001) due to more number of whorls in Control group. Blood group type B+ ve showed highest (47.5%) association with breast cancer followed by O+ ve (35%) blood group type. In group I, O+ ve (35%) was the most prevalent blood group type followed by A+ ve (12.5%) and B- ve (12.5%) blood group types.

Conclusion: Fingerprints are an easily accessible, lifelong marker formed in early months of gestation. This is one of the best and widely used methods for personal identification. The dermatoglyphic parameters can be used to study genetic basis of Breast cancer and may also serve as a screening tool in high risk population.