Addressing the “fear of the finger”.

What is it?
A medical procedure that primarily evaluates the prostate, rectum, and anus. Due to its intrapelvic location, it’s the only method for a physician to examine a patient’s prostate.

Why is it done?
It’s the optimal screening method for prostate cancer. All men from 50 to 69 years old should discuss with their doctor whether they should undergo a digital rectal exam. In certain cases, patients may benefit from this procedure as early as 40 years of age.

What to expect?
The patient will change into a hospital gown and be asked to lie on their side, or less frequently, maintain a squatting or bending position. Meanwhile, the doctor will gently insert a gloved and previously lubricated finger into the patient’s anus for a few seconds.
The procedure is generally painless, although mild discomfort might be experienced. A study revealed that the percentage of patients who qualified the digital rectal exam as acceptable increased from 59.4% to 91.5% after the procedure was completed. Another study found that 88.04% of patients would repeat the exam the following year, and 94.05% would encourage a friend to get tested.

Despite the undeniable benefits and the rare adverse events of the digital rectal exam, up to 66.66% of patients admit to having delayed a medical consult to avoid the rectal exam, and 73% were not convinced this test was helpful.

What happens next?
The patient can immediately return to their normal activities. Some patients might experience mild discomfort, the need to urinate, and, rarely, light bleeding after the test is done.

The doctor can tell you the results right after the procedure. For example:

• A regularly engarled prostate may suggest benign hyperplasia.
• An irregularly enlarged or nodular prostate must alert a possible prostate cancer.
• A boggy and painful prostate is often due to inflammation, known as prostatitis.

Reference:

https://en.doctorsotelo.com/doctor/prostate/

https://www.healthline.com/health/digital-rectal-exam#procedure

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24212-digital-rectal-exam#:~:text=A%20digital%20rectal%20exam%2C%20or,is%20typically%20fast%20and%20painless.

García Figueredo I, Pereda-Meira CM, Morejón Morales A, et al. The Cuban Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology experience on the beliefs and opinions about digital rectal exam in urological patients.

Creencias y opiniones sobre el examen dígito rectal en pacientes urológicos: experiencia en el Instituto de Oncología y Radiobiología (Cuba). Medwave. 2016;16(6):e6501. Published 2016 Jul 22. doi:10.5867/medwave.2016.06.6501

Furlan AB, Kato R, Vicentini F, Cury J, Antunes AA, Srougi M. Patient’s reactions to digital rectal examination of the prostate. Int Braz J Urol. 2008;34(5):572-576. doi:10.1590/s1677-55382008000500005