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The finger wave
There are several tests that are routinely carried out to assess prostate health, but the most common and notorious is the digital rectal exam or DRE and every fifty year old man is advised to have one at least once a year.
The “digital” in "digital rectal exam" doesn’t refer to the fancy computer equipment your doctor will be using, but to the fact that s/he will palpate the prostate with one of his or her digits (most likely his or her index finger) to check for size, symmetry (a healthy prostate consists of two equal halves, separated by a narrow groove), lumps, firmness (which should be similar to that of the tip of your nose) and texture.
Here’s what happens during a typical DRE:
• You’ll be asked to stand with your feet apart and bend forward so that your arms or elbows rest on a desk or examination couch. Alternatively, the exam may be conducted while you’re lying on your side with your knees bent towards the chest.
• The doctor will wear a surgical rubber glove with a heavily lubricated finger and will warn you when s/he is about to insert it into your rectum. Expect to feel a little pressure, but only mild discomfort.
• The finger will be inserted at a downward angle as if pointing to your bellybutton and the doctor will give your sphincter a few second to relax.
• The doctor will move his/her finger in a circular motion while gently feeling the prostate.
• The doctor will probably tell you when s/he is about to retract the finger and use a tissue to wipe the lubricant off your anus and buttocks.
• Expect the whole procedure to take about a minute or less.
Have a look at this video clip in which Doctor Gerald Chodak takes you through what you can expect during a prostate exam:
video clip excluded because this is a family site
