Doctors in the UK normally perform a DRE following an elevated PSA score from a blood test.
The following is a (rather odd) description of the DRE from Wikipedia (I have had several DRE’s, but always laying on my side. never bent over an examination table which sounds bloody awful!):
The digital rectal examination (DRE, Latin palpatio per anum or PPA) is a relatively simple procedure. The patient undresses, then is placed in a position where the anus is accessible (lying on the side, squatting on the examination table, bent over the examination table, or lying down with feet in stirrups [in stirrups!!] ).
If the patient is lying on their side, the physician will usually have them bring one or both legs up to their chest. If patient bends over the examination table, the physician will have them place their elbows on the table and squat down slightly. If the patient uses the supine position, the physician will ask the patient to slide down to the end of the examination table until their buttocks are positioned just beyond the end. The patient then places their feet in the stirrups.
The physician spreads the buttocks apart and will usually examine the external area (anus and perineum) for any abnormalities such as hemorrhoids, lumps, or rashes. Then, as the patient strains down [what - who wrote this!], the physician slips a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum through the anus and palpates [err - he shoves his finger up your arse and waggles it about!] the insides for approximately 60 seconds.
What the doctor is checking for is the ‘feel’ or consistency of the prostate. A normal prostate should be nice an squashy. A hard prostate would be an indication of a benign enlargement but a prostate which was lumpy would be suspicious.
A DRE is not a wonderful experience – but hey, neither is having prostate cancer!
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