A digital rectal examination (DRE), performed as part of an annual physical checkup, is one of the most important tests for the early detection of prostate cancer. Because the prostate gland is located just in front of the rectum, it cannot be felt from the outside of the body.
During the DRE, a doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the patient's rectum to feel for lumps, enlargements, or areas of hardness that might indicate prostate cancer. The procedure lasts for less than minute and, while uncomfortable, should cause no pain. However, a painful examination could indicate the presence of other, benign conditions, such as prostatitis.
Why do I need a DRE?
Most early prostate cancers cause no symptoms and are found
only through early detection by a digital rectal examination
and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Recent
studies indicate that the combination of DRE and PSA testing
is more effective in the early detection of prostate cancer
than either procedure is on its own.
Does a DRE always detect prostate abnormalities?
A digital rectal examination allows a doctor to feel only
the back wall of the prostate gland, so any abnormalities
located in the middle or front part of the gland cannot be
felt. For this reason, the DRE is performed in conjunction
with PSA testing. Although the PSA test can detect many cancers
which doctors cannot feel during a DRE, it has also been shown
that DREs detect some cancers which are not associated with
an elevated level of PSA in the bloodstream.
How often do I need a DRE?
As part of the annual checkup, the American
Cancer Society recommends digital rectal examinations
and PSA testing for:
The Prostate Cancer pages of this Web site are part of the Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Awareness Program (CPCAP), a major regional effort to reduce the rates of death and illness caused by prostate cancer in southwestern Pennsylvania. Funding for CPCAP is provided by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
