Fingernail Changes May Be Clues About Increased Cancer Risk

An NIH study suggests nail abnormalities like white or red bands may signal a gene mutation that increases cancer risk.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

Those subtle ridges, discolorations, or thickening of your fingernails you’ve been ignoring could be more than just cosmetic nuisances.

A new study shows they may serve as warning signs for a rare genetic disorder that raises the risk of developing several cancers at a young age.

Genetic Predisposition to Cancer

A recent study published in JAMA Dermatology has found that the presence of onychopapillomas, benign nail abnormalities identified by white or red bands along the length of the fingernail, could indicate a rare, inherited disorder called BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome.