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Digital Rectal Exam
The digital rectal exam, or DRE, is a quick, routine part of a yearly physical. During the exam your doctor gently feels the surface of the prostate for anything unusual, such as a lump, a hard spot, or an area that feels different from the rest. It takes only a few seconds, and it gives your doctor information a blood test cannot.
A DRE is often paired with a PSA blood test because the two work together. The PSA test measures a protein in your blood, while the DRE lets your doctor physically check the gland. The exam can help catch prostate cancer even when a PSA result looks normal, and it also helps diagnose other prostate problems such as an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) and prostatitis.
What Is the Digital Rectal Exam?
The digital rectal exam is a standard screening procedure your doctor may perform during an annual physical. The physician inserts a gloved, lubricated finger a short way into the rectum and feels the back wall of the prostate for a few seconds, checking its size, shape, and texture. Because the prostate sits just in front of the rectum, this simple exam gives the doctor a direct sense of the gland’s condition.
Doctors use the DRE to help detect prostate cancer, sometimes even when a PSA screening is not elevated, and to evaluate other common prostate conditions like BPH and prostatitis. It is one piece of a bigger picture, used alongside your PSA level, your age, and your personal risk factors.
How Is the Digital Rectal Exam Performed?
No medication or preparation is needed. The exam is generally not painful and takes only a few minutes from start to finish. You will remove clothing below the waist, and your doctor will ask you to get into one of a few positions: most men either stand and bend forward at the waist or lie on their side on the exam table with their knees drawn up toward the chest.
During the exam the doctor feels for bumps, soft or hard spots, and any other changes on the surface of the prostate. If your prostate is enlarged you may feel some pressure or a brief urge to urinate. Tell your doctor if anything feels painful, and remember the exam is over in seconds.
Are There Side Effects?
For most men there are no side effects at all. Because the exam is so brief and gentle, the worst most people feel is a moment of pressure or discomfort. It is possible to notice minor rectal bleeding afterward, especially if you have hemorrhoids or anal fissures. If you have any bleeding or discomfort that concerns you, tell your physician or nurse right away.
Why the DRE Still Matters
It is normal to feel awkward about the DRE, but skipping it can mean missing an early warning sign. Paired with a PSA test, the exam gives your doctor a fuller picture and can catch changes in the prostate that a blood test alone might not. A few seconds of mild discomfort is a small price for the reassurance and the head start that early detection provides.
If your PSA test or DRE suggests a closer look is needed, the next steps can include biopsy and imaging or additional testing. Still deciding whether it is time to start screening? Read our guide on when you should get tested or review your personal risk factors.
No Doctor or Insurance? We Can Help.
If you do not have a doctor, do not have insurance, and cannot afford screening, contact us to find out what free prostate screenings are available near you. Many take place in September, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Get a Free PSA Test in Nebraska
Screening starts with a simple PSA blood test, and the Nebraska Prostate Cancer Alliance offers it free to men 40 and older at Cruisin’ for a Cure and community events across Nebraska. No insurance required. Results stay private. Early detection saves lives.
Keep Learning
The digital rectal exam is one part of how prostate cancer is diagnosed. Explore the other steps and find out when you should start screening.