Digital rectal examination

Digital rectal examination (DRE) is a small procedure that is generally performed by a doctor at the doctor's office. Digital rectal exam has become a part of routine general check up these days because of the increasing incidence of prostate cancers in men. DRE is recommended for all men over 40 years of age. It is an invaluable procedure for screening of the cancer of the prostate gland. Though it may be an embarrassing study, it is a life saving tool in identifying and treating prostate cancer.

Digital rectal examination: The procedure is first explained to the person and the person should give an oral consent for the physician to do the procedure. The person will be asked to remove the clothes from waist down and be made to lie down comfortably on the examination table in left lateral position (lying on the left side) with the knees flexed towards the chest. This position gives a better access for the doctor to examine the rectum, intestine and the prostate gland. This procedure can also be done in supine (lying on the back) with the knees flexed over the abdomen or bending forward at the waist while standing.

The doctor washes his hands, wears a sterile gloves, and inserts his lubricated forefinger into the rectum. The doctor will generally instruct the person to take a deep breath while he is inserting his finger. This procedure is painless but it may cause a slight discomfort or pressure while the doctor inserts his finger. It may be painful for those with hemorrhoids or inflamed prostate. An uncomfortable sensation of an urge to urinate may be felt when the physician presses one hand over the abdomen while the other hand is still inside the rectum examining the internal organs (this happens mostly in flat lying position).

Digital rectal examination enables the doctor to asses the size, shape, and consistency of the prostate gland. It also helps him to assess all other pelvic organs like bladder, and rectum. The findings includes

* Enlarged prostate (may indicate benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis

* Nodule in prostate (may indicate initial stage of prostate cancer)

* Stony hard lump in prostate (may indicate advanced stage of prostate cancer)

* Blood in stools (may indicate gastro-intestinal bleeding or cancers)

* Quality of stools (hard dry stools or loose)

* Anal and rectal sphincter capacities.

* Anal hemorrhoids or fissures.

* Any polyps, abscesses, or tumor of the rectum.

* Some problems of the bladder.

Treatments for prostate cancer widely depend up on the stage of cancer. Digital rectal examination indirectly gives an idea about the stage of prostate cancer there by it helps in treatment of prostate cancer. The results of digital rectal examination are always followed by confirmatory procedures like biopsies, ultrasonography, barium enema, colonoscopy, or sigmoidoscopy.

If the doctor finds anything abnormal in digital rectal examination during your regular visit, be brave and go ahead for the next set of investigations and get ready for the treatment. Each quicker step you take is your quicker step to success.